
Class iiij 
BookjJ^ 



iglitN"_ 

CSffXRrGHT DEPOSm 





Copyi-lght by O. S. Stithpen, IMl. 
SHE H£LD THE PLOWiWS AGAINST HER LJPS. 



TO 

THE DEAR BOYS AND GIRLS 

Throughout the Land 

THIS VOLUME IS 

AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. 



We get back our mete as we 
measure — 

We cannot do wrong and 
feel right; 

\i\lif/ f Nor can we give pain and 
jl^^--^ gain pleasure, 

"I'ci^^'K^.:^ For justice avenges each 

slight. 




The air for the wings of 
the sparrow, 
The bush for the robin 
and wren, 
But always the path that 
is narrow 
And straight for the children 
of men. 



PREFACE. 

Many times, Dear Public, we have come to you with books foi 
children containing poetry, games, stories and songs. Each time 
you have given us a royal welcome, and judging from your patronage 
in the past, we have "come again" with what we consider our 
greatest "success" in the Juvenile world. One of the new features 
in the book is the Kindergarten and its relations to the Home 
AND School. 

" The Kindergarten " is a book designed for active boys, laughing 
gfrls, earnest mothers, and weary teachers. It is full of good 
thoughts and cheering words. 

Grateful acknowledgment and thanks are due Milton Bradley 
Co., Springfield, Mass., for the use of their illustrations, many of 
which are taken from "Paradise Childhood," a Kindergarten book, 
replete with good things. 

Thanks are also due and tendered all others for their kindness in 
allowing selections to be drawn from their works. The moral tone 
of the selections will commend themselves to all who desire to place 
only the best before young people. 

Believing your appreciation will again compensate our labors, 
we are, 

Most sincerely, 

THE PUBLISHERS. 



TEACH YOUR BOYS. 

Teach them to respect their elders and themselves. 

Teach them that a true lady may be found in calico as frequently 

as in velvet. 

Teach them that to wear patched clothes is no disgrace, but to 

wear a black eye is. 

Teach them that one good honest trade, well-mastered, is worth 
a dozen beggarly " professions." 

Teach them that, as they expect to be men some day, they cannot 
too soon learn to protect the weak ones. 

Teach them that a common-school education with common sense, 
is better than a college education without it. 

Teach them by your own example that smoking in moderation, 
though the least of vices to which men are heirs, is disgusting to 
others and hurtful to themselves. 

Teach them that by indulging their appetites in the worse forms 
of dissipation, they are not fitting themselves to become the husbands 
of pure girls. 




INTRODUCTORY. vii 



MOTHERS AND TEACHERS. 

To thoroughly understand the developing process of our little 
ones, we must not only have a heart free from guile, but place 
ourselves in perfect sympathy with innocent childhood. We must 
study his being, his wants, his aspirations and his character. We 
must plan his work, his studies and, if possible, his destiny. 

How few realize this truth! How few remember — 

"A pebble in the streamlet scant 
Has turned the course of many a river; 
A dewdrop on the infant plant, 
Has warped the giant oak forever." 

Do we not wish while reading the fair faces of our innocent little 
ones, that their future might be as free from the shadows of sin as 
now from the shadows of age ? 

Could we but realize the effect of good influences upon them in 
guiding their lives, I believe we would be careful and let our hearts 
respond to the noble words of Froebel, "Come, let us live with our 
children." 

In training them do we not lay too much stress on surface work ? 
The little beings need something more than a liniment to rub on 
the outside, they need an internal tonic that will strengthen and 
harmoniously develop heart, mind and body. 

Parents and teachers, let us examine carefully our own lives 
and hearts and ask ourselves whether the faults of our children are 
not the reflection of our own inconsistencies — whether their dis- 
obedience and selfishness is not largely due to our ignorance of 
child-nature. What care and skill the gardener exercises in cultivating 
flowers that bloom only for a day, month or season 1 Are human 
plants of less value ? Does not he who tills human soil and cultivates 
plants that bloom throughout the ages of eternity, need infinitely 



Vlll 



INTRODUCTORY. 



greater wisdom? Before the gardener can aid in the growth and 
development of a plant and bring it to the greatest perfection of 
which it is susceptible, before he can help it to attain the highest 
condition of fruitfulness or beauty, he must understand its structure, 
organization and character. Every successful florist well understands 
that the outward conditions and influences that cause one plant or 
flower to develop and bloom, dwarfs, stunts and even crushes others 
of a different class. 

Knowing this, shall we not begin at once a thorough study of 
child-nature? Shall we not work systematically until the little 
characters are able to rise upward as time flies onward? Shall we 
not let our own hearts be the furrowing hand of time, and our daily 
lives a skillful artist's brush ? Shall we not so live, so think and so 
act, that we may with motive high, pure and noble, cast seed whose 
harvest will give us immortality more desired than all the splendors 
of the earth. 




CONTENTS. 



"How We Do Love to Work" 1 5 

Childhood's Laugh 16 

"How Does it Suit Me?" 17 

"You May Lead a Horse" 18 

A Word to Mothers 19 

Cradle Song 19-20 

Baby-Land 21 to 23 

Step by Step 24 

Evening Prayer for a Young Child 24 

No Baby in the House 25 

The Five Pigs 25 

A Strange Dream 26 

Their Strange Race 26 

Baby 27 

What Became of Our Baby 28 

A Bed-Time Song 28 

Baby Eva's Prayer 29 

Two More Little Feet 3o 

My Playfellow 30 

The Two Sisters 3l 

Ten True Friends 32 

Tb'^ Young Driver 32-33 



PACK 

Here Sits the Lord Mayor 34 

Play-Time 3 5-36 

Weighing the Baby . . , 37 

Out for a Walk 38-39 

The Seed 40 

Two 40 

Auntie's Visit to Baby Town 41 to 43 

Nobody Knows 43 

All About a Frog 44 

Joey and the Apples 45 

Dressing Mary Ann 46 to 49 

A Thoughtful Lad 49 

Baby's Day 50-5 1 

Carlo, Jane and Me 52-53 

My Little Sister 54 

She is Worth Her Weight in Gold 55 

A Happy Family 56 

Lulu's Complaint 57 

Playing "Horsie" 58 

The Little Girl Who Would Never Say 

Please 59 

The Alphabet 60 



CONTENTS. 



Learning the Letters 61 

The Nursery 62 to 69 

In the Orchard 70 

What 1 do Every Day 71 

Sand Pies 72 

I Know a Little Maiden 73 

Mamma's Birthday 74 

Cherries are Ripe 75 

The Doll-Baby Show 76 

The Song of the Bee 77 

A Birthday Cake 7S 

Puzzles about Peter and Patty 79 

A Valentine 80 

The Kittens' Tea Party 81 

Never Forget to Pray 82 

Evening Prayer 83 

The Bee and the Butterfly 84 

Little Moments 84 

Castle Building 85 

Willie's Adventure 86 

The Little Dressmaker 87 

Doll House Troubles 88 to 90 

Wishing 90-91 

Of What Are Your clothes Made? 92 

Counting 93 

Dolly's Toothache 94-95 

What They Are Doing 96-97 

Betty B 98-99 



One Gentle Word. 100 

A Child of Seven 100 

A Fourth of July Record 101 

What a Little Girl Can Do • ., 102 

Queer Little Stitches 103 

Twenty Frogs at School 104 

Hop and Skip Learning to Swim 105 

THE KINDERGARTEN. 

Amusement 106 

Pilii.g Blocks 107 

The Originator of the Kindergarten. . . 108 

Laying off Figures 109 

Method of Work, and How to Apply it 

to the Home and School 1 10 to 1 13 

The First Gift Il3 to 115 

The Second Gift 116 to 118 

The Third Gift 118 to 122 

The Fourth Gift 122 to 125 

The Fifth Gift 126 to 128 

The Sixth Gift 128 to l30 

The Seventh Gift 130 to l32 

The Eighth Gift 133-134 

The Ninth Gift l34 to l37 

The Tenth Gift l37 to 139 

The Eleventh and Twelfth Gifts. 1 39 to 144 

The Thirteenth Gift 144 to 148 

The Fourteenth Gift 148 to 1 50 

The Fifteenth Gift l5l to l53 



CONTENTS. 



XI 



The Sixteenth Gift 153-154 

The Seventeenth Gift 1 54 to 1 56 

The Eighteenth Gift l56to 158 

The Nineteenth Gift 158 to 160 

The Twentieth Gift 160 to 163 

Horace and his Kindergarten Friend. 164-165 

Fun for Little People 165 to 169 

Alphabet Game 170-171 

New Year's Coming 171 

School Days 172-173 

Good Business Habits 174 

Songs and Games 175-176 

Do you Want to be Happy? 177 

Finger Exercise 1 78 

Drowsy Head 179 

Ding, Dong, Bell 179 

Motion Song with the Hands 180 

One, Two, Three 180 

A Song of School Girls I8l 

This is the Way the Snow Comes Down 181 

Mowing Grass 182-183 

Wishing to be a Sailor 184 

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa 184 

The Clock 184-185 

The Charcoal Burner's Hut 186-187 

Tick, Tack 188-189 

Song of Welcome 189 

The Yard Gate 190 



The Flower Basket 191 

Three Little Rats 192 

Birthday Song 193 

Saloons Must Go 194 

Mother, Kind and Dear 195 

The Naughty Little Mouse 195 

Holiday 196 

What Willie Said 197 

Trotty and Dotty 198 

A New Time-Table 199 

Children of the Week 199 

The Months 199 

Days of the Week 200 

Facts for Little Folks 200 

School Time 200-201 

A Gentle Man 201 

The Dunce's Bench 202 

Twenty Little School-Mates 203 

How Columbus Found America 204 

Trust Your Mother 205 

Which is the Best? 206-207 

The Clerk of the Weather 207-208 

Vacation Song 209 

The Pearl of Great Price 210-211 

A Song of the Season 211 

A Boy's Belief 212 

A Nation's Strength 213 

The Orphan Turkeys 214 



Xll 



CONTENTS. 



A Christmas Carol 214 

The Wind 215-216 

The Country Schoolhouse 216-217 

The Watermill 217-218 

■ Astronomy Made Easy 219 

Strauss Boedry 220-221 

The Axis 221-222 

Not Ready for School 222-223 

The First Pocket 224-225 

Number 225 

A Little Child's Fancy 225 to 227 

Lessen in Arithmetic 227 to 229 

A Little Traveler 229-230 

The Children's King 230 

The Boys We Need 23l 

The Proper Time 231-232 

The First Rubber Boots 232-233 

An Alphabet of Rivers 233-234 

His Profession 234-235 

The Child's Centennial 235 to 238 

Letting the Old Cat Die 238 to 240 

A Story for Boys 241 to 244 

Vacation 244-245 

The Children's Hour 245 

A Merry Dance 246 

Father at Play 247 

True Love 248 

The Rabbit on the Wall 248-249 



"Little Children Love One Another"250-25l 

Never Out of Sight 251-252 

Little Things 252 

Perseverance 253 

Pussy's Class 253-254 

Seven Times One 255-256 

Good-Night 256-257 

Two Little Girls 257 

Be Active 258 

The Children's Bedtime 258 to 260 

Mother Knows 261-262 

Be Careful What You Say 262-263 

The Two Friends 263 to 265 

The Lazy Boy 265 

A Shocking Tease 266 

The Castle Builders 266 to 268 

Making Mud-Pies 268-269 

November 269-270 

A Friend in Need 270-271 

Christmas on the "Polly" 272-273 

If I Were You 273-274 

A Rhyme for a Rainy Day. - . 274 to 276 

A Christmas-Day Dream 276 to 278 

The Mushroom Fairies 278-279 

Hanging the Stockings 279-280 

A Guess for the Children 280 

Christmas 281 

The Secret with Santa Claus 281-282 



CONTENTS. 



Xlll 



The Hot Roasted Chestnut 283 

Christmas Day 284 to 286 

The Falling- Leaves 286-287 

Not Appreciated 287-288 

Two Little Artists 288 to 296 

Elocutionary Selections 297 

A Hero 298-299 

An April Joke 299-300 

Where Do Wrnkles Come 

From? 300-301 

A Cobweb Made to Order 302-3o3 

The Youn,^ Husband to His Wife. .3o3-304 

The Unfinished Prayer 304 to 306 

Rover in Church 3o6-307 

Time Turns the Tables 308-309 

Good-Night 309 to 31 1 

When We Were Girls 3 1 1-3 12 

Good and Better 312 to 3 14 

The Huskin' 3l4to3l6 

Leedle Yawcob Strauss 3 16-3 1 7 

A Picture 3l8 

The Child Musician 3 19 

Two Fishers 3 19-320 

Familiar Talk 320 to 322 

A New Year's Resolve 322-323 

What He Said 323 

What She Said 324 

That Line Fence 325 to 327 



Abraham Lincoln and the Poor 

Woman 327 to 329 

The Magical Isle 329 to 33l 

Wild Weather Outside 33 1-332 

Where Are Wicked Folks Buried? ..332-333 

As Jacob Served for Rachel 333 to 336 

The Brownies' Xmas 336 to 341 

Air Castles 342 to 344 

The New Church Doctrine 344 to 347 

The Old Farm Home 347-348 

The Motherless Turkeys 348-349 

The Shepherd's Dog 35o to 354 

Little Racket's Christmas 354 to 360 

Christmas with My Old Mother. . . 360-361 

A Passing Cloud 361-362 

The Magpie's Lesson 362-363 

Tired Mothers 364-365 

"Discretion is the Better Part of 

Valor" 366-367 

The Elephant and the Child 367-368 

Nearer to Thee 368 to 370 

Little Jo 370 to 373 

Birthday Gifts 373 to 376 

The Successful Man 376 377 

Christmas Eve 377 

Parting 377-378 

Resolves 378 

The Household Angel 379 



XIV 



CONTENTS. 



Things Never Done 379-380 

The Rainy Day 380 

Poem for Recitation 381 to 383 

"God Hath His Plan for Every 

Man" 384-385 

The Two Mysteries 385-386 

Speak Tenderly 386 

The Loved and Lost 387-388 

Comforting Words 388-389 



The Lost Kiss 390 to 392 

Dimes and Dollars 392-393 

A Happy Pair 394 

A Ride on Sands 395 

Somebody's Mother 396-397 

Granny's Grace 397-398 

Golden Hair 398-399 

Farewell 399 

Children's Drawing Stencils 400 



-fV\E WORK OF THE HANn 
^^tA.RS WE THOUGHT OF r2^5 



^£■40 




" HOW WE DO LOVE TO WORK." 



15 



16 CHILDHOOD'S LAUGH. 



CHILDHOOD'S LAUGH. 

You may talk of the beautiful songsters that sing- 
Thro' the soft hours of summer, and the bright days of spring; 
But there's nothing so sweet to my hearing, by half, 
As nature's own music in childhood's light laugh. 

I sometimes have felt in the gloomiest mood, 
And over my sorrows would bother and brood, 




And just as I thought to give way to despair 
A ripple of laughter broke forth on the air. 

The laugh is contagious — the sweet little elf — 
And, before I quite know it, am laughing myself; 
This, the golden elixir of gladness, we quaff. 
For there's nothing so merry as childhood's light laugh. 




"HOW DOES IT SUIT ME?" 
17 




YOU MAY LEAD A HORSE. 



18 



/ 



CRADLE SONG. 

A WORD TO MOTHERS. 

Would you know the baby's skies? 
Baby's skies are mother's eyes. 
Mother's eyes and smile together, 
Make the baby's pleasant weather. 
Mother, keep your eyes from tears. 
Keep your heart from foolish fears; 
Keep your lips from dull complaining, 
Lest the baby think 'tis raining. 



10 




BABY-LAND AND LULLABIES. 



CRADLE SONG. 

(Abridged.) 

What is the little one thinking about ? 
Very wonderful things no doubt; 

Unwritten history I 

Unfathomed mystery I 
Yet he laughs and cries, and eats, and drinks, 
And chuckles, and crows, and nods, and winks. 

As if his head were as full of kinks 
And curious riddles as any sphinx I 
Warped by colic, and wet by tears. 
Punctured by pins, and tortured by fears. 
Our little nephew will lose two years; 



20 



CRADLE SONG, 




And he'll never know 

Where the summers go; 
He need not laugh, for he'll find it so. 
What does he think of his mother's eyes? 
What does he think of his mother's hair? 

What does he think when her quick embrace 
Presses his hand, and buries his face 
Deep where the heart-throbs sink and swell, 
With a tenderness she can never tell, 

Though she murmur the words 

Of all the birds- 
Words she has learned to murmur well ? 

Now he thinks he'll go to sleep I 
I can see the shadow creep 
Over his eyes in soft eclipse. 
Over his brow and over his lips, 
Out to his little finger-tips 1 
Softly sinking, down he goes 
Down he goes 1 down he goes ! 
See I he's hushed in sweet repose. 



JosiAH Gilbert Holland. 



BABY-LAND. 



21 




22 



BABY-LAND. 




BABY-LAND. 



23 




24 



EVENING PRAYER FOR A YOUNG CHILD. 







STEP BY STEP. 

NE step and then another, 

And the longest walk is ended, 
One stitch and then another, 

And the largest rent is mended; 
One brick upon another. 

And the highest wall is made; 
One flake upon another. 

And the deepest snow is laid. 

So the little coral workers, 

By their slow and constant motion. 
Have built those pretty islands 

In the distant dark blue ©cean; 
And the noblest undertakings 

Man's wisdom hath conceived, 
By oft-repeated effort 

Have been patiently achieved. 



EVENING PRAYER FOR A YOUNG 
CHILD. 

Now I lay me down to sleep, 
I pray the Lord my soul to keep; 
If I should die before I wake, 
1 pray the Lord my soul to take; 
And this I beg for Jesus' sake. 




THE FI^E PIGS. 



25 



NO BABY IN THE HOUSE. 

No baby in the house I know, 

Tis far too nice and clean. 
No toys, by careless fingers strewn, 

Upon the floors are seen. 
No finger-marks are on the panes, 

No scratches on the chairs; 
No wooden men set up in rows, 

Or marshalled off in pairs. 
No little stockings to be 

darned, 
All ragged at the toes; 

No pile of mending to be done, 

Made up of baby-clothes; 
No little troubles to be soothed; 

No little hands to fold; 
No grimy fingers to be washed; 

No stories to be told; 
No tender kisses to be given; 

No nicknames — "Dove," and "Mouse;" 
No merry frolics after tea—' 

No baby in the house! 




Clara G. Dolliver. 



THE FIVE PIGS. 



1. This pig went to market; 

2. This pig staid at home; 

3. This pig had a bit of meat; 

4. And this pig had none; 

5. This pig said. Wee, wee, wee! 
I can't find my way home. 



26 



THEIR STRANGE RACE. 



A STRANGE DREAM. 



Sing a song of dreaming 

That never seems to stop 
Just a dozen wooden dolls 

Dancing round a mop 
When the dream had 

gone at last 
No dollies were in 

sight! 
Wasn't that a funny 
thing 
To happen in 
the night ? 





THEIR STRANGE RACE. 

Six little rabbits ran in a ring, 

As though they were running a race! 

What do you think was the goal in view? 
What do you think they were trying 
to do? 
What was the end of the chase? 
^ ^ ^'^V Each one ran after its neighbor's tail, 
£?'^""<v^^ zgL And each one somehow 

managed to fail! 
Did ever you hear of so 

Joolish a thing 
Of six little rabbits who 
ran in a ring? 



B/IBY. 



27 



^ a}))c liajopv and gd^, ^ ^ ^ 

_pothlTi(| to do tut eat arici grow, ^tfe^S 
I^aa^fi sindlcliticRe, ckuctU anoL crov/! 

JJ imp led Cheeks tnat ar-e all aglo\x/, 
rlumfi uttte iimws as bure as stiow; 
JVtsseol amoL joudLea ^^|^,j^|^ petted 

E(Ver^o7ie*s gladwne 

/Va tfiere you are in 
ATigels to watch )/ou 
when asleep in YOvf\^ 
A^ey are jli/ttenng 




fofaes 





throu ^ 
LLttLe Jbed, 
oer ^ouR. fieo-a. "^ 

iSaoy^l Love to 



Volt nestLlng there on 
Notners Jtnee^ 
J^il^e <2, I Lowe ret partLy- C 
IjLown, 
3weet 



rmioceTice upon 




-"^ ///Mil 




28 



A BED-TIME SONG. 

■ 




A BED-TIME SONG. 

Open the snowy little bed, 

And put the little baby in it; 
Lay down her pretty curly head, 

She'll go to sleep in a minute. 

Tuck the sheet down round her neck, 

And cover the dimples over, 
Till she looks like a rosebud peeping out, 

From a bed of sweet white clover. 



p/ 'Ij. v|| 



BABY EVA'S PRAYER. 



BABY EVA'S PRAYER. 

Darling baby Eva, 

Kneeling by my chair, 
In the autumn twilight. 

Lisping out her prayer. 

Small hands clasped together, 

Bowed the golden head, 
Blue eyes closed, lips parted, 

"Our Father" faintly said. 

Then as the head bowed lower 
Upon my darling's breast, 

Came, "Eva seepy, mamma, 
And Dod knows all the rest." 

1 took my sleeping child. 
With all a mother's love. 

And laid her down to rest- 
Then knelt to God above. 

And while the evening shadows 

Were falling silently, 
I asked for her a blessing 

There, on my bended knee. 

One half my yearning thoughts 
My words have ne'er expressed; 

But still 1 feel, with her, 
That God knows all the rest. 



30 



MY PLAYFELLOIV. 



TWO MORE LITTLE FEET. 

Another little wave 

Upon the sea of life; 
Another soul to save 

Amid its toil and strife. 

Two more little feet 

To walk the dusty road; 
To choose where two paths 

meet — 
The narrow and the broad. 

Two more little hands 
To work for good or ill; 

Two more little eyes, 
Another little will. 

Another heart to love, 

Receiving love again; 
And so the baby came, 

A thing of joy and pain. 




Lucy Evelina Ackerman. 




MY PLAYFELLOW. 

A dear little doll that loves me well: 

What better? 
A dear little doll that never can tell 

A letter! 
She cannot say the A, B, C, 

I set her; 
But 1 know she loves my face to see: 

That's better! 




THE TWO SISTERS. 
31 



32 



THE YOUNG DRIVER. 

TEN TRUE FRIENDS. 

(Little Fingers.) 

Ten true friends you have, 
Who, five in a row, 

Upon each side of you 
Go where you go. 

Suppose you are sleepy, 
They help you to bed; 

Suppose you are hungry. 
They see that you are fed. 

They wake up your dolly 
And put on your clothes, 

And trundle her carriage 
Wherever she goes. 



THE YOUNG DRIVER. 

His horse is fed 

On gingerbread. 
And its stable is under the trundle bed; 

And he has a cart 

That has been a part 
Of a button-box— and the reins are thread. 

But his heart's as bold 
As his hair is gold. 
And he handles the lines with a "coach- 
man's hold ; " 
"Good-bye!" he cries, 
A FARMER'S BOY. Aud hls sparkHug eyes 

Are as bright as the stars when the night is cold. 




THE YOUNG DRIVER. 



35 



Of course you know 

That the horse can't go, 
But it isn't worth while to tell him so, 

For he'd only say, 

"Horse running away! 
I can't stop horsey; whoa, horsey! whoa 



The ears have fled 

From the horse's head, 
And the most of the horse's hair is shed; 

But his legs are left 

Though he's tail bereft, 
And he stands very quietly while he's fed. 

What's this? a race? 
And at such a pace ! 
Why, the driver is getting red 
in the face I 
"Get up, I say I" 
And he whips away — 
He says there's a pack of 
"woofs" in chase. 

May the wolves, my dear, 
Be never more near 
Than they are on the floor of 
the nursery here, 

And your eyes as bright. 
And your grasp as tight 
As now — on the reins of a proud career. 




«ji^ 



AN EXCITING RACE. 



54 TEN LITTLE TOES. 

HERE SITS THE LORD MAYOR. 

Here sits the Lord Mayor . . Forehead. 

Here sit his two men . . . Eyes. 

Here sits the cock . . * . . Right cheek. 

Here sits the hen .... Left cheek. 

Here sit the little chickens . . Tip of nose. 

Here they run in ... . Mouth. 
Chin-chopper, chin-chopper, chin- 
chopper, chin! .... Chuck the chin. 



TEN LITTLE TOES. 

Baby is clad in his nightgown white 
Pussy-cat purrs a soft good-night. 
And somebody tells, for somebody knows 
The terrible tale of ten little toes. 

RIGHT FOOT. 

This big toe took a small boy Sam 
Into the cupboard after the jam; 
This little toe said, "Onol no!" 
This little toe was anxious to go; 
This little toe said, " 'Tisn't quite right; " 
This little tiny toe curled out of sight. 

LEFT FOOT. 

This big toe got suddenly stubbed; 

This little toe got ruefully rubbed; 

This little frightened toe cried out, " Bears! " 

This little timid toe, " Run up stairs! " 

Down came a jar with a loud slam! slam! 

This little tiny toe got all the jam! 

Clara G. Dolliver. 



P LAY-TIME. 



35 



PLAY-TIME. 



The boys were in the garden, 
Digging little wells; 

The girls were at the seaside, 
Hunting pretty shells. 




The boys were in the" wild woods. 
Picking sweet red berries; 

The girls were 'neath the fruit- 
trees, 
Shaking down the cherrie*^ 



36 



PLAY-TIME. 



The girls were in the old swing, 

Getting many a fall; 
The boys were running swiftly 

After bouncing ball. 




WEIGHING THE BABY. 



37 



WEIGHING THE BABY 

(Abridged.) 

"How many pounds does the baby weigh — 

Baby who came a month ago? 
How many pounds from the crowning 
curl 

To the rosy point of the restless toe?" 

Grandfather ties the 'kerchief's knot, 
Tenderly guides the swinging weight, 

And carefully over his glasses peers 
To read the record, "Only eight." 

Softly the echo goes around; 

The father laughs at the tiny girl, 
The fair young mother sings the words, 

While grandmother smooths the 
golden curl. 

And stooping above the precious thing, 

Nestles a kiss within a prayer, 
Murmuring softly, "Little one, 

Grandfather did not weigh you fair." 

Nobody weighed the baby's smile. 
Or the love that came with the little 
one; 

Nobody weighed the threads of care 
From which a woman's life is spun. 

Nobody weighed the baby's soul. 
For here on earth no weight may be 

That could avail; God only knows 
Its value in eternity. 




OUT FOR A WALK. 



O mother, laugh your merry note; 

Be gay and glad, but don't forget, 
From baby eyes looks out a soul 

That claims a home in Eden yet. 



Ethel Lynn Beep*" 



OUT FOR A WALK. 

One little girlie. 

Out for a walk, 
Two little babies 

Learning to talk; 




Three little doggies 

Chasing a rat; 

Four little kittens 

Teasinp" a cat. 



OUT FOR A WALK. 

There, by the gate, 

hi the bright summer weather. 
Pups, babes, and kitty-cats 

All met together. 
Out came a donkey 

With a loud bray — 
Pups, babes, and kitty-cats 

All ran away I 



39 




40 



TIVO. 

THE SEED. 

Little and black, shining and round; 
Bury it deep under the ground, 
Cover it up and go away, 
And come again another day. 
Little black thing, without any power; 
God will change it into a flowerl 




/a' 



v. 




TWO. 

Two little girls are better than one. 
Two little boys can double the fun, 
Two little birds can build a fine nest, 
Two little arms can love mother best. 
Two little ponies must go to a span; 
Two little pockets has my little man. 
Two little eyes to open and close, 
Two little ears and one little nose, 
Two little elbows, dimpled and sweet, 
Two little shoes on two little feet. 
Two little lips and one little chin. 
Two little cheeks with a rose shut in; 
Two little shoulders, chubby and strong. 
Two little legs running all day long. 
Two little prayers does my darling say. 
Twice does he kneel by my side each day- 
Two little folded hands, soft and brown, 
Two little eyelids cast meekly down— 
And two little angels guard him in bed, 
"One at the foot, and one at the head." 



AUNTIES ^ISIT TO BABY TOWN. 



41 









ANCING! Prancing I 

Up and down! 
Here we are at Baby Town. 

What a racketl What a noisel 
Laughing girls and shouting boys. 
1 don't think 1 will go in 

While they're making such a din; 
Yes, I'll venture just a minute; 
One step more, and I am in it! 



LL at once how still they are— ^ 

Then: "Here's Auntie I Hip 1 Hurrah 
Oh, we are so glad you're comel 

Willie's got a brand new drum; 
Katie has a lovely doll; 

And dear Nell a screechmg Poll 



42 



AUNTIE'S yiSIT TO BABY TOWN. 




OB has got a rocking horse — 

So he bought a whip, of course; 
Charlie has a box of bricks, 

Harry too, some conjuring tricks; 
And dear Baby has a rattle; 

Did you know that she could prattle? , 
Oh, she is the sweetest dear! Auntie, draw your chair quite 
near." 
Little hands hold me so fast, I'm obliged to say at last, 
"Yes, my darling little one, I will stay and share your fun;" 
For I cannot get away from the spell of mirth and play; 
And I'm fairly settled down 
In the midst of Baby Town. 




IRST on horseback I must ride, 

Bold Bob standing by my side; 
In the yacht I try to get. 

Just to please my little pet. 
Then 1 can with Dolly play, 

And pretend she's Baby "May." 
I can make Poor Polly screech, 

And the use of bricks can teach. 
And on Willie's painted drum, now I beat a fme tum-tum. 
I can shake the pretty rattle, and can hear dear Baby prattle. 
I can join in games of play till obliged to go away, 
All the better for the noise 
Of the darling girls and boys. 




NOBODY KNOWS. 



OW, good-bye, for I must ^ 
go— 
Soon I'll come again 
you know." 
Small hands pat me, sweet lips kiss. 

Pure and true delight is this; 
Never, never more I'll frown 
When I'm near to "Baby Town!" 

S. B. B. 



43 





NOBODY KNOWS. 

Dear little Lillian I where has she gone ? 
Up in the attic, or out in the lawn ? 
There, in the cornfield, she's watching 

the crows; 
What she is thinking of nobody knows. 

Now in the garden and now in the park. 
Singing and chattering from morning 

till dark; 
Stopping to talk to the flowers as she 

goes, 
What she is telling them nobody knows. 

Dear little Lillian, busy and bright, 
Happy and smiling from morning till 

night, 
Fair as a lily, and sweet as a rose; 
How we all love her, nobody knows. 



44 



ALL ABOUT A FROG. 



ALL ABOUT A FROG. 




This is an egg; 
Watch it, I beg. 



Out of this ^gg- 
(No arm or leg)- 



Comes this strange thing. 
The legs now spring, 



Both front and rear. 
Now this is queer, 



The tail plays flop, 
And goes off pop! 



And soon it hops about the bog, 
A happy, timid little frog. 




JoEy kips Kimsd] k riLO!'ctli(L\inC 
ititLa(l£:(i< 



46 



DRESSING MARY ANN. 
DRESSING MARY ANN. 




1. 



She came to me one Christmas Day, 
hi paper, with a card to say: 



" From Santa Clans and Uncle John 
And not a stitch the child had on. 



"I'll dress you; nevermind!" said I, 
"And brush your hair; now, don't you 
cry." 





4. 

First I made her little hose, 
And shaped them nicely at tnc 
toes. 

Then I bought a pair of shoes — 
A lovely "dolly's number twos." 



DRESSING MARY ANN. 



47 



Next I made a petticoat; 

And put a chain around her throat 







Then, when she shivered, I made ; 
haste, i 

And cut her out an underwaist. 



Next I made a pretty dress, f^. 

It took me 'most a week, I guess. "^^ 



48 



DRESSING MARY ANN. 




And then I named her Mary Ann, 
And gave the dear a paper fan. 



Next I made a velvet sacque 
That fitted nicely in the back. 








11. 12. 

Then 1 trimmed a lovely hat — And dear, my sakes, that wasn't all! 

Oh, how sweet she looked in that. I bought her next a parasol! 



DRESSING MARY ANN. 



f9 




She looked so grand when she was dressed 
You really never would have guessed 
How very plain she seemed to be, 
The day when first she came to me. 

Mary.Mapes Dodge 



A THOUGHTFUL LAD. 

1 cautiously approached him, 

For 1 saw that he was coy. 
And asked if he could tell me 

A word that rhymed with 

"Boy." [doubt 

At first he shook his head in 

And slyly bit his curl, 
Then brightening up he smiled 
at me, 

And gaily answered, "Girl." 

4 




39 



BABY'S DAY. 
BABY'S DAY. 



The reason I call it " Baby's Day" is funny enough to tell; 

The first thing she did was give "syrup of squill" to Dolly to make her well; 




And then when I told her how wrong it was, she said, with a quivering 

" i o"h 
" I'm sorry I made her so sticky, mamma, but 1 couldn't let Doily die." 



BABY'S DAY, 51 

Then comforted wholly, she went away, and was just as still as a 
mouse, [ing" house;" 

And I thought to be sure I should find her at once in the nursery play- 
But, lo! on the way as I started to look, a queer little piece I found, 
Just like a center of snowy lawn that the scissors had scalloped round. 

1 cried "O, baby! what have you done? You have been to somebody's 
drawer, [that you saw !" 

And taken from out of the handkerchief pile the most beautiful one 
And then the dear little head went down pathetic as it could be. 
While she sobbed, " There was nothing for me to cut, an:] 1 thought 
I'd take two or three!" 

It was only a little later on, that the water began to splash. 

And I jumped and found she was rubbing away on her sister's holiday 

sash; 
But, catching a look of utter dismay, as she lifted her innocent eyes, 
She whispered, " Don't worry, I'll wash it all clean, and hang it up till 

it dries." 

But the funny mishaps of that wonderful day I could not begin to 

relate; 
The boxes of buttons and pins she spilled, like a cherub pursued by fatel 
And still, all the while, the dear little dove was fluttering 'round 

her nest. 
And the only thing I really could do was to smooth out her wings on 

my breast. 

But the day drifted on till it came to an end, and the great moon rose 
in sight, [good-night. 

And the dear soft lids o'er the dear soft eyes dropped tenderly their 

And I thought, as I looked on her lying asleep, I was glad (for once 
in a way), [Day." 

That my beautiful child was human enough for a mischievous " Baby 



52 



CARLO, JANE AND ME. 



CARLO, JANE AND ME. 

When-ev-er Pa-pa takes a walk, 

He always calls us three; 
He says he couldn't go without 

Old Car-lo, Jane and me. 

We lau^.h and talk, and bark 

and play, 

And papa swings his cane; 

Once he for-got and killed 

some tlow-ers, ' 

That stood up in our lane. 

And sometimes Car-lo runs 

and jumps. 

And Jane stands by a tree; 

\ Oh dear! what fun my 

pa-pa has, 

With Car-lo, Jane and me. 

And just for mischief Car-io 
barks 
At ev-e-ry one we pass; 
And makes the shadow of his tail 
Keep wag-gin' on the grass. 

When Jane can't walk, 1 car-ry her. 

And Car-lo car-ries me; 
Then pa-pa al-ways walks be-side. 

And shouts out "Haw!" and "Gee!" 

1 wish he'd come; poor Jane is tired 
With wait-ing here so long; 




CARLO, JANE AND ME. 

Car-lo don't mind— no more do I, 
But Jane was never strong. 

Car-lo is made of cur-ly hair. 

And I am made of me; 
But Jane is made of wood and things, 

As doll-ies have to be. 



53 




Oh, here is pa-pa! Now, we'll start; 

He's sure to take us three; 
You see he couldn't go without 

Old Car-lo, Jane and me. 



54 



MY LITTLE SISTER 
MY LITTLE SISTER. 

Lhave a little sister, 
She's only two years old, 

But she's a little darling, 
And worth her weight in gold. 




She often runs to kiss me, 
When I'm at work or play, 

Twining her arms about me 
In such a pretty way. 

Andthenshe'll saysosweetly 
In innocence and joy, 

"Tell me a story, sister dear, 
About the little boy." 

Sometimes when I am knit- 
ting. 
She'll pull my needles out, 
And then she'll skip and 
dance around 
With such a merry shout 



It makes me laugh to see her, 
Though I'm not very glad 

To have her take my needles out, 
And make my work so bad. 

But then, if I would have her 
To see what she has done, 

I must be very gentle 
While telling her the wrong. 




SHE IS WORTH HER WEIGHT IN GOLD. 



55 



56 



A HAPPY FAMILY. 



A HAPPY FAMILY. 

1 went to the yard, and I saw the old hen 

Go clucking about with her chickens ten; 

She clucked and she scratched, and she bustled away. 

And what do you think I heard the hen say? 

1 heard her say, "The sun never did shine 

On anything like to these chickens of mine. 




A HAPPY FAMILY. 



You may hunt the full moon and the stars, if you please. 
But you never will find ten such chickens as these. 
My dear, downy darlings, my sweet little things, 
Come, nestle now closely under my wings." 

So- the hen said, 

And the chickens all sped 
As fast as they could to their nice feather bedl 
And there let them sleep, in their feathers so warm. 

While my little chick lies here on my arm. 



LULU'S COMPLAINT. 

LULU'S COMPLAINT. 



57 



I'se a poor 'ittle sorrowful baby, 
For Bidget is 'way down stairs; 

My titten has scatched my fin'er, 
And Dolly won't say her p'ayers. 

I hain't seen my bootiful mamma 

Since ever so long ado; 
An' 1 ain't her tunninest baby 

No londer, for Bidget says so. 




Mamma's dot anoder new baby; 

Dod dived it— He did — yes'erday; 
And it kies, it kies — oh, so deiTul ! 

I wis' He would tate it awav. 




I don't want no "sweet 'ittle sister;'' 
I want my dood mamma, 1 do; 

I want her to tiss me, and tiss me, 
An' tall me her p'ecious Lulu. 

I dess my dear papa will bin' me 
A 'ittle dood titten some day; 

Here's nurse wid mamma's new baby; 
I wis' she would tate it away. 

Oh, oh, what tunnin' red fin'ers I 
It sees me 'ite out of its eyes; 

1 dess we will teep it, and dive it 
Some can'y whenever it kies. 



I dess I will dive it my dolly 
To play wid 'mos' every day; 

And I dess, I dess — say, Bidget, 
Ask Dod not to tate it away. 



58 



PLAYING "HORSIE." 




PLAYING "HORSIE." 

O what fun on a summer's day, 
Three little folks and a doggie at play! 
Jack, and Jennie, and baby Jim, 
And little bob-tailed, shaggy-haired Tim. 



THE LITTLE GIRL IV HO IVOULDN'T SAY PLEASE. 



59 



Down the lane, and away they go, 
Jack is the racing horse, you know; 
Jennie's the wagon, stout and strong, 
And Jim's the driver, with whip so long. 

Kind little sister with brothers two, 
Ready always her share to do. 
In the merry playtime, helping along 
With love and sunshine the days so long, 

Whoa, now, horsi.e, so fast you go. 
You'll soon be running away, I know; 
And oh, if your wagon you should upset. 
What a terrible fright your driver will get. 



Jingles and Joys. 



THE LITTLE GIRL WHO WOULDN'T SAY PLEASE. 

There was once a little girl who would never say please, 

1 believe if you even went down on your knees. 
But, her arms on the table, would sit at her ease, 
And call out to her mother in words such as these: 
"I want some potatoes! " "Give me some peas! " 
"Hand me the butter! " "Cut me some cheese! " 
So the fairies, this very rude daughter to tease. 
Once blew her away in a powerful breeze, 
Over the mountains, and over the seas. 
To a valley where never a dinner she sees. 
But down with the ants, the wasps, and the bees. 
In the woods she must live until she learns to 
say please. 




60 THE ALPHABET. 

THE ALPHABET. 



ABCDEFG 
HIJKLMN 
OPQRSTU 
VWXTZ& 



abedefehi 




jklmnopqr 
stuywxy z 

183456789 10 

NOT E.— Encourage the child to copy these until they become fixed in his mind. 



LEARNING THE LETTERS. 

LEARNING THE LETTERS. 

I wish I knew my letters well, 
So 1 might learn to read and spell; 
I'd find them on my pretty card, 
If they were not so very hard. 

Now S is crooked— don't you see? 
And G is making mouths at me; 
And O is something like a ball, 
It hasn't any end at all. 




And all the rest are— my I so queer! 
They look like crooked sticks — oh, dearl 
Ma counted six, and twenty more; 
What do they have so many for? 



62 



THE NURSERY. 



THE NURSERY. 




.,..hii|it''''''>'7.'-'4M.i..,/V|<,. • 



!"• ,.V..,. 




THE NURSERY, 



63 




Dick and the owl 
must study "A;" 

But the mice and 
bugs, they can 
play. 



"See," says Dotty, 
"here's A and B;" 

"Well," says Fido, 
"what's that to 
me?" 




Dotty and the Pea- 
cock both are 
vain, 

Each with a long 
and trailing train. 




Now Dick is mend 
ing mamma's tub, 

Hear him hammer, 
rub-a-dub-dub. 



64 



THE NURSERY. 




Dot is sweeping her 
mamma's room; 

The big fly, too, has 
found a broom. 



Dot says to Fido, 

"Let's catch a 

fishl" 
Big trout cries, 

"Here's what you 

wish!" 





^^ "I'll swing," says 
Dot, "to the sky 

^^ so blue," 

'^^f^" " Ho ! " says grass- 
hopper, "I can 
too." 



"The hay," says Dick, 
"in the barn must 
go." 

"Yes," says grass- 
hopper, "see me 
mow." 




THE NURSERY. 



65 




"Ah I" says the cat, 
"what splendid luckl 

When he gets it done 
I'll eat that duck I" 



"Trout! trout I 

Here's fine fresh 

trout 1" 
"Are you sure?" 

says the trout, 

jumping out. 





"When Miss Dotty 

has her garden 

made 
I'll go," says the 

toad, "and enjoy 

the shade." 



Newsboy Dick is 
earning money, 

The bee is reading 
the price of 
honey. 




66 



THE NURSERY. 




"WhoaT'says Dicky, 
"you stand still, 

While I build my 
church, spire and 
sill." 



"Just a drop," says 
Dot, "for the in- 
valid;" 

"And I'll take the 
rest!" says chick- 
a-bid. 





"Slop, pour, and 
spatter I" Topsy 
said, 

"For this little kitten 
must be fed." 



Way off, in a tub, 
see Dicky glide, 

"Ah, ha," says the 
Frog, "we'll all 
take a ride." 




THE NURSERY. 



67 




"See," says Dicky, 

"I've found a 

drum 1" 
Grasshopper says, 

"Hear the music 

come." 



*'Now," says Fido, 
" Dot loves this 
doll 

Much more than me, 
so I'll end it all !" 





"Breakfast is ready, 
cut-cut-ca-dool" 

The babies quarreled 
and off ran two. 



Dicky whipped his 

horse till up he 

reared. 
And the froggie's 

team ran away, 'tis 

feared. 




68 



THE NURSERY. 




Says Topsy to Dick, 
"If you're to%ht, 

You want a mous- 
tache as black as 
night." 



Here's three httle kits 
behaving nice, 

And they all shall 
dine on tender 
mice. 





"Water, waterl ' and 
•as they quaff, 

Dick sees how the 
thirsty flowers 
laugh. 



Two smart little 
ladies come to tea, 

I do wish Miss Dotty 
would invite me. 




THE NURSERY. 



19 




"Tra la!" sing Dot, 

and Topsy and 

Dick; 
"Oh!" howls Fido. 

"get through 

quick." 



Such a naughty Dick 

when mamma's 

away I 
" Let's have some, 

too!" the gray mice 

say. 





"And now," says the 
cat, "are lessons 
done?" 

" Yes," says Fido, 
"hurrah for fun!" 



70 



IN THE ORCHARD. 




IN THE ORCHARD. 

Apples red and apples green, 
Apples rich and ripe are seen 
in the orchard near the road; 
Apples, apples, by the load! 

In the spring the trees were white- 
Apple-blossoms, such a sight ! 
Little apples fill the trees. 
Fanned all summer by the breeze. 

Little apples grew and grew. 
Living on the rain and dew; 
Now the fruit in great, rich stores, 
Harvest in the orchard pours. 

Glad the farmer's swelling heart! 
Glad the little children start 
For the orchard, where they play, 
"Picking apples" all the day. 



IVHAT I DO EVERY DAY. 71 

WHAT I DO EVERY DAY. 

On Monday when the weather's fair On Friday, sweeping is my task;- 
I always wash the clothes; To clean up is delight; 




Then Tuesday I can iron them, 
Although it rains or snows. 





On Saturday I do some cooking, 
Then put all work from sight. 




On Wednesday I do the mending, 

And always like it, too; 
On Thursday I receive my friends. And Sunday is a day of rest; 

I've nothing else to do. I go to church dressed in my best. 



72 



SAND PIE^. 




SAND PIES. 

Oh, the apple pie is a very nice pie, 

A very nice pie indeed; 
And some there are who say to me, 

"Of all, it takes the lead." 

And the mince pie, too, is a very good pie, 

As good as good can be, 
If the crust is crisp and brown enough. 

And the raisins — one — two — three. 

And the pumpkin pie is a very nice pie, 
For now and then, you know; 

If it's well made, 'tis fairly good — 
As squash and pumpkin go. 



/ KNOIV A LITTLE MAIDEN. 



73 



And the cherry pie is a very nice pie, 

Of fruit so tart and red; 
And many a child will call this pie 

Of every sort ahead. 

But the greatest pies in all the land, 

If you listen well to me, 
Are the dear sand pies we children make, 

Though busy as humming bee. 



I KNOW A LITTLE MAIDEN. 

I know a little maiden who can knit and who can sew. 
Who can tuck her little petticoat, and tie a pretty bow; 

She can give the thirsty win- 
dow-plants a cooling drink 
each day. 

And dust the pretty sitting- 
room, and drive the flies 
away. 

She can fetch papa his dress- 
ing-gown, and warm his 
slippers well. 

And lay the plates and knives 
and forks, and ring the sup- 
per bell. 

She can learn her lessons care- 
fully, and say them with a 
smile; 

Then put away her books and 
slate and atlas in a pile. 




IVHILE I RUB, AND I RUB." 



She can feed the bright canary, and put water in his cage; 

And soothe her little brother when he flies into a rage. 

She can dress and tend her dollies like a mother, day or night; 

Indeed, one-half the good she does, I cannot now recite. 

And yet, there are some things I'm told, this maiden cannot do; 

She cannot say an ugly word, or one that is not true; 

Who can this little maiden be? I wonder if it's you. 



74 



MAMMA'S BIRTHDAY. 



^^^^^mm 




MAMMA'S BIRTHDAY. 



"The latch is so high 
On this great, big door, 

And I've so many apples 
In my pinafore. 

" I got them for mamma, 

This is her birth day. 
And I know when she sees them 

Just what she will say. 



" Oh, what shall I do? 

Hark! a step in the hall. 
Hurry, oh hurry! 

My apples will fall." 

The door opens wide, 

Tis mamma herself. 
Who thanks, with sweet kisses. 

Her dear little elf. 



CHERRIES ARE RIPE 




CHERRIES ARE RIPE. 



Cherries are ripe, 

Cherries are ripe, 
Oh, give the baby one; 

Cherries are ripe, 

Cherries are ripe, 
But baby shall have none; 
Babies are too young to choose. 
Cherries are too sour to use; 

But by and by. 

Made in a pie, 
No one one will them refuse. 

Up in the tree, 

Robin I see, 
Picking one by one; 

Shaking his bill. 

Getting his fill, 
Down his throat they run; 



Robins want no cherry pie; 
Quick they eat, and off they fly; 

My little child. 

Patient and mild, 
Surely will not cry. 

Cherries are ripe. 

Cherries are ripe, 
But we will let them fall; 

Cherries are ripe. 

Cherries are ripe. 
But bad for babies small; 
Gladly follow mother's will 
Be obedient, kind, and still 

Waiting awhile, 

Delighted you'll smile, 
And joyfully eat your fill. 



76 



THE DOLL-BABY SHOkF. 




THE DOLL-BABY SHOW. 

Our doll-baby show, it was something- quite grand; 
You saw there the loveliest doll in the land. 

Each girl brought her own in its prettiest dress; 

Three pins bought a ticket, and not a pin less. 

For the doll that was choicest we offered a prize, 

There were wee mites of dollies, and some of 
great size. 

Some came in rich purple, some lilac, some 

Vr Jir^P^)!^ white, 

*^6 /Tw^Mlfm With ribbons and laces — a wonderful sight. 

Now, there was one dolly so tall and so proud 
She put all the others quite under a cloud; 
But one of us hinted, in so many words. 
That sometimes fme feathers did not make fine birds. 
We sat in a row with our dolls in 

our laps; 
The dolls behaved sweetly, and met 

no mishaps. 
No boys were admitted — for boys 

will make fun; 
Now which do you think was the 

dolly that won? 
Soon all was commotion to hear who 

would get 
The prize; for the dollies' committee 

had met; 
We were the committee, and which 

do you think 
Was the doll we decided on, all in 
a wink? 

Why, each of us said that our own was the best, 
The fmest, the sweetest, the prettiest dress; 
So we all got the prize. We'll invite you to go 
The next time we girls have our doll-baby show. 

George Cooper. 




THE SONG OF THE BEE. 77 

THE SONG OF THE BEE. 

Buzz-z-z-z-z-z, buzz! 
This is the song of the bee; 

His legs are of yellow, 

A jolly good fellow, 
And yet a great worker is he. 




In days that are sunny, 
He's getting his honey; 
In days that are cloudy. 

He's making his wax; 
On pinks and on lilies 
And gay daflfodillies, 
And columbine blossoms 

He levies a tax. 

Buzz-z-z-z-z-z, buzz! 
The sweet smelling clover 
He, humming, hangs over; 
The scent of the roses 

Makes fragrant his wings; 



3» 



A BIRTHDAY CAKE. 



He never gets lazy; 
From thistle and daisy, 
And weeds of the meadow, 
Some treasure he brings. 

Buzz-z-z-z-z-z, buzz! 
From morning's first gray light. 
Till fading of daylight, 
He's singing and toiling 

The summer day through. 
Oh, we may get weary, 
And think work is dreary; 
'Tis harder by far 

To have nothing to do! 



Marian Douglas. 



A BIRTHDAY CAKE. 

What can this be which cook 

has placed here? 
it seems like a cake, but oh! how 

queer! 
Though the frosting looks white 

and sweet and nice. 
Yet on its top are six little black 

mice. 

One for an infant, in dresses 

white, 
One for a baby, with blue eyes 

bright; 
One for a child, with golden hair, 
One for a maid, with face so fair; 
One for a girl, brimming over with fun. 
And one for the very next year to come. 

Six chocolate mice on top of the cake, 
Which cook, at mamma's request, did make 
For a sweet little girl — a good one, too — 
But I shall not tell her age — can you? 




PUZZLES ABOUT PETEK AND PATTY. 



79 



luzzLrES ABOUT Peter and I^tty . 





lev+ty werit up in 



She had 
her 





Nve^s onl^ 



f%^ 




Q 

and she pla.Me(5 
"te a - b arty 

5Ln old 




bair Pactty ha^ci S- iovelu 



and there. vYcre 
not" any 

time unt'il two vi?>Itor5 came who were not' in - 

vited\.i CJho do you think th^M wer'eJ.^^H bi 

f ^^^PwtC^ ^who crept out of )^ , ^/^i^»^-^— ^-=- 

corner , \ a.nd a little. 



behind a 



'^l^ 




wr2o 



peep 



ro)Ti 



riow poor rkttg ran ! 



poor rauu 

/\nd the rat spicJet* and the little mouse had the 
partu all to themselves ! 



8C 



A l^ALENTINE. 




A VALENTINE. 

She is fairer than the 
light, 
She is loveher than the 
rose, 
More precious in my 
sight 
Than any flower that 
grows. 

Her voice is sweeter far. 

Upon my listening ears. 

Than the song of morning 

star. 

Than the music of the 

spheres. 

She is worth her weight 
in gold, 
In rubies and in pearls. 
She is only two years 
old, 
With a head of yellow 
curls. 



THE KITTENS' TEA PARTY. 
THE KITTENS' TEA PARTY. 



81 




Three little kittens 
Went out to tea; 

All wore their best frocks. 
One, two and three. 



Three little aprons 
All trimmed with 

Three little sashes 
All tied in place. 



lace; 



Old pussy kissed them, 
Bade them be good; 

All mewed a glad mew, 
Each said she would. 



ill- 



Three little ladies 
Welcomed them 
in, 

Rang for the kettle, 
Tea must begin. 





But naughty Rover, 

Just for a joke, 
In at the doorway 

His nose must poke. 

Up sprang the kittens 

All in a fright, 
Knocked o'er the table — 

Oh! what a sight! 

Smashed all the china. 
Spilt all the cream. 

Cake, jam and sugar, 
While pussies scream. 

All in a muddle, 
All on the floor; 

"Ha! ha!" laughed Roven 
Then shut the door. 



NEyER FORGET TO PRAY. 



NEVER FORGET TO PRAY. 

Never, my child, forget to pray, 
Whatever the business of the day. 
If happy dreams have blessed thy sleep, 
If startling fears have made thee weep. 
With holy thoughts begin the day. 
And ne'er, my child, forget to pray. 

The time will come when thou wilt miss 

A father's and a mother's kiss. 

And then, my child, perchance thou'lt see 

Some who in prayer ne'er bend the knee; 

From such examples turn away. 

And ne'er, my child, forget to pray. 




EVENING PRAYER. 
83 



84 



LITTLE MOMENTS. 




THE BEE AND THE BUTTERFLY. 



"Dear me! dear mel" 

Said a busy bee, 
"I'm always making iioney; 

No time to play, 

But work all day; 
Isn't it very funny — 
Very, very funny?" 



"Oh, my! oh, my!" 

Said a butterfly, 
"I'm always eating honey; 

And yet I play 

The livelong day; 
Isn't it very funny- 
Very, very funny?" 





LITTLE MOMENTS. 

Little moments make an hour; 

Little thoughts, a book; 
Little seeds, a tree or flower; 

Water drops, a brook; 
Little deeds of faith and love. 
Make a home for you above. 



CASTLE 

CASTLE 

"Now build me a castle I" 
Cried Teddy, our king"; 

"A beautiful castle, 
With turret and wing ; 

" I'm tired of houses. 
With sheep-fold and shed; 

Now build a g-reat castle, 
As high as my head ! " 

Down came the white sheep-fold, 

The dear curlv sheep. 
And red-cheeked shepherdess 

Tossed in a heap. 

And high rose the castle. 

Till taller than Ted, 
" Build higher 1 " he ordered, 

" Build high as your head I " 



BUILDING. 

BUILDING. 

Up, up rose the castle, 
A building quite grand, 

Most carefully built up 
By John's steady hand. 

" Build one story higher ! ' 
Our architect frowned, 

Obeyed, the walls tottered— 
Swayed— fell to the ground. 

Ah, Teddy! wee ruler 
Of hearts and of home, 

Your castle is fallen. 
And shattered its dome; 

But don't feel disheartened, 

My dear little man. 
For kind brother Johnny 

Will build it again. 



85 




86 



WILLIE'S ADVENTURE. 




WILLIE'S ADVENTURE. 



" Now, Willie dear," said his mamma» 
" Tm going- out — I'll not go far; 
And when I'm gone, mind what I say. 
Stay inside the gate to play." 



But Willie dear had lost all wish 
To mix mud pies in his tin dish. 
He watched his mother out of sight, 
Then pushed the gate with all his might. 





Z^TJU^'^''*'^ 



In vain; 'twas only wasting time; 
So over it he tried to climb. 
It wouldn't do; he was so fat 
He soon gave up all hopes of that. 



Just then came trotting up to him, 
His little dog, black curly Jim, 
And Willie quickly made this plan: 
"I'll have Jim help me, for he can." 




. . ^ ""'"''***tH mi^r -^ItynKr 




So he and Jim they scratched away, 
Till piles of dirt around them lay. 
Under the fence they dug a hole, 
And through it naughty Willie stole. 



Jim quickly followed, full of play, 
Down the street they took their way. 
'Twas full two hours ere they were found. 
Willie was seated on the ground. 
Watching the merry children play. 
In Allyn Park, a mile away. 




THE LITTLE DRESSMAKER, 



87 



THE LITTLE DRESSMAKER. 

This little girl, Fm glad to say, 

Is fond of work as well as play. 

From bits of ribbon, velvet, lace, 

She makes nice gowns to suit each face. 

Puts feathers in a bonnet tall, 

And trims a hat for little doll. 

One dolly's large, the other small, 

One stands alone, and one must fall. 

Though dressed so nice, they won't obey. 

But sit quite sullen all the day. 

"I will not scold, call forth their tears. 

Although they sit a dozen years ! " 

She makes their dresses, learns to wait — 

What don't come early may come lat^ 




^^.^ 



88 



DOLL HOUSE TROUBLES. 
DOLL HOUSE TROUBLES. 




/u^/^i-wiilsa' 



My dear sister Nina, 
You'll find here a letter 

From sister Regina; 
1 wish it were better. 

Arabella Anastasia 
Is a very naughty doll; 

I really can't take care of her 
She won't behave at all. 

This morning when I called ner 
And told her she must dress, 

She began to cry for mamma; 
You must come back, I guess. 




DOLL HOUSE TROUBLES. 

I don't see what possessed her 
To act in such a manner, 

She nearly drove me crazy; 
In fact, I had to fan her. 

I couldn't put her shoes on: 
She kicked! — the naughty girl, 



89 




She wouldn't let me wash her, 
Or put her hair in curl. 

I told her that I loved her; 

But she would not mind a bit; 
So I put her in the corner. 

And there I made her sit. 



90 WISHING. 



You know, when one is naughty, 

The others act so, too; 
And Mary Ann, Aunt Nancy, 

And Pansy cried for you. 

Oh, dear! I cannot stand it. 
They're making such a noise; 

They're tearing up their dresses, 
And breaking all the toys. 

Don't stay another minute. 
But pack your trunk, my dear, 

And hasten to your dollies; 
They'll all be sick, I fear. 



WISHING. 

Where the grass grows sweet and tall. 
And the shallow waters fall 
Over pebbles, smooth and bright. 
Once I saw a lovely sight. 

Seven little ones at play, 
Telling what they'd do some day. 
When "grown up." What they'd be. 
What they'd have. Oh, fair to see 

Was rollicking Teddy and blue-eyed Joe 
Close where the tallest grasses grow; 
Rosy-cheeked Jennie, and dimple-cheeked Nan, 
Listening to Teddy's "When I'm a man." 

There were " two and two, and then three," 
They counted themselves in glee. 
And the "three" were Katie and Nell, 
And Johnny, poor wee Johnny Bell. 



WISHING. 

Jennie wished for a house so fine, 
And Nan in a silk dress to shine, 
While Ted "a ship its captain to be," 
And Joe said low, " While you're at sea, 

" I'll build big" houses on the land, 
A home for Jennie, tall and grand." 
They laughed at this right merrily, 
The children four, and the children three. 



91 




"An artist I'll be," said Nellie then, 
"When Teddy and Joe are grown to men. 
I'll paint this bank and grasses fair, 
And the moon a-rising over there." 

Poor little Johnny I could not see. 
But he made the kindest wish to me; 
" I'll work, I'll work, as hard as I can. 
To help my mother, when I'm a man." 

Katie had listened to all the rest. 
With brave thoughts battling in her breast; 
"When Fm a woman, I'd rather be 
Useful, than anything else," said she. 



92 



OF WHAT ARE YOUR CLOTHES MADE? 

OF WHAT ARE YOUR CLOTHES MADE? 

Come here to grandma, and I'll tell you, dear boy — 
For I think you never have guessed— 

How man>^ poor animals we must employ 
Before little George can be dressed. 

The pretty sheep gives you the wool from his sides. 
To make you a jacket to use; 




The goat or the calf must be stripped of their hides. 
To give you these nice little shoes. 

And then the shy beaver contributes his share, 

With the rabbit, to give you a hat. 
For this must be made of their delicate hair; 

And so you may thank them for that. 



COUNTING. 

All these I have mentioned, and many more, too, 

Each willingly gives us a share; 
One sends us a hat, and another a shoe, 

That we may have plenty to wear. 

Then, as the poor creatures thus suffer to give 

So much for the comfort of man, 
I think 'tis but right that, as long as they live, 

We should treat them as kind as we can. 



93 




COUNTING. 

1 2 3 

One Two Three 

Look at our slates and see. 



4 ^ 6 

Four Five Six 

Work with pencil and sticks. 

7 8 9 

Seven Eight Nine 
Boys and girls all doing fine. 



94 DOLLY'S TOOTHACHE. 



DOLLY'S TOOTHACHE. 

Dolly's got the toothachel 
Dreadful toothache, too! 

And her tiny mamma 
Knows not what to do. 

P'rhaps she'll like the pictures — 

'Cause I cried one day 
When my head was aching. 

And then Auntie May 

Showed me lots of pictures 

And I all forgot 
That my head was aching, 

'Cept one little spot. 

Fido comes to listen — 

" Don't cry, Dolly, no! 
See, I'll put a hank'fish 

Round your dimples, so! 

" Oh, I know what's better ! " 

And the chubby feet 
Haste to mamma's cupboard — 

All so trim and neat. 

"Dolly, here's some med'cine 

You will have to take, 
Ain't no brandy in it, 

So your pledge won't break. 

" For we're temperance folkses. 
And always mean to be. 

Guess your toothache's well, now. 
Mamma's calling me." 




DOLLY'S TOO'iHACHE. 
95 



96 



IV HAT THEY ARE DOING. 



WHAT THEY ARE DOING. 

Little sparrow, come and say 

What youVe doing ail the day. 

"Oh, I fly over ditches and hedges to find 

A fat little worm, or fly to my mind, 

And the dear little pets that 1 warm with my breast; 

For until I can teach them the way how to fly, 

If I were not to feed them my darlings would die. 

How glad they all are when they see me come home, 

And each of them chirp, 'Give me some I give me somel 




Little lambs, come here and say 
What you're doing all the day. 
" Long enough before you wake, 
Breakfast I am glad to take; 
Then about the fields I play, 
Frisk and scamper all the day. 
When I'm thirsty, I can drink 
Water at the river brink; 
When at night I go to sleep, 
By my mother I must keep; 
I am safe enough from cold 
At her side within the fold." 



IVHAT THEY ARE DOING. ' 99 

Little bee, come here and say 
What you've been doing all the day. 
" Oh, every day — all day long-. 
Among the flowers I sing my song; 
I creep in every bud I see. 
And all the honey is for me. 
I take it to my hive with care. 
And give it to my brother there; 
That when the winter time comes on, 
And all the flowers are dead and gone. 
And when the winds are cold and rough. 
The busy bee may have enough." 




Little fly, come here and say 

What you're doing all the day. 

"Oh, I m a gay and merry fly, 

I never do anything — no, not I; 

I go where 1 like, and stay where I please, 

In the heat of the sun, or the shade of the breeze; 

On the window pane, or the cupboard shelf, 

And I care for nothing, except myself. 

I cannot tell, it is very true. 

When the winter comes, what I mean to do; 

And I very much fear when I'm getting old, 

I shall starve with hunger, or die of cold." 



BETTY B. 



A 








If) / prWeuvV\c ^w/, \o. 




BETTY D. 



^ 












t"^ 






J 



100 



A CHILD OF SEJ/EN. 



ONE GENTLE WORD. 




One gentle word that I may 
speak, 
Or one kind, loving deed. 
May, though a trifle poor and 
weak. 
Prove like a tiny seed; 
And who can tell what good 

may spring 
From such a very little thing? 



A CHILD OF SEVEN. 

"OF ALL SWEET SOUNDS, A CHILD'S CLEAR LAUGHTER IS THE BEST. 

All the bells of heaven may ring, 

All the birds of heaven may sing, 

All the winds of earth may bring 

All sweet sounds together; 
Sweeter far than all things heard. 
Hand of harper, tone of bird. 
Sounds of woods at sundown stirred. 
Welling water's winsome word. 

Wind in warm, warm weather; 
Golden bells of welcome rolled 
Never forth such notes, nor told 
Hours so blithe in tones so bold 
As the radiant mouth of gold, 
Here that rings forth heaven. 

If the golden-crested wren 
Were a nightingale, why, then 
Something seen and heard of men 
Might be half as sweet, as when 
Laughs a child of seven. 




A FOURTH OF JULY RECORD 



101 



1 

2 
3 
4 
S 
6 
7 
8 
9 





A FOURTH OF JULY RECORD. 



Was a wide-awake little boy 
Who rose at break of day; 

Were the minutes he took to dress, 
Then he was off and away. 

Were his leaps when he cleared the stairs, 
Although they were steep and high; 

Was the number which caused his haste, 
Because it was Fourth of July. 

Were his pennies which went to buy 
A package of crackers red; 

Were the matches which touched them off, 
And then — he was back in bed. 

Big plasters he had to wear 
To cure his fractures sore; 

Were the visits the doctor made 
Before he was whole once more. 

Were the dolorous days he spent 
In sorrow and pain; but then, 

Are the seconds he'll stop to think 
Before he does it again. 



102 



H^HAT A LITTLE GIRL CAN DO. 



WHAT A LITTLE 

THERE never was such a pony 
as Shag. He was rough look- 
ing, but what did that matter ? 
He drew the cart to market with a 
load of potatoes or turnips, and he 
brought it back with a load of coal. 
He would let the children ride on 
his back, and he never kicked or 
bit at them. Evenlittle Jenny was 
not afraid to gti upon Shag's back 



GIRL CAN DO. 
boys went to take him water, there 
was no Shag to be seen. 

"Where is Shag?" said the father. 

"He has got out into the road," 
said Tom. 

"You must go aftei him," said 
the father. 

So Tom went down the road; but 
when little Jenny heard that Shag 
was gone, she filled her apron with 




and hold on by his mane, while he 
trotted round the field with her 
quite steadily. 

This was in the summer, but it 
was now winter, and the fields 
were all covered with snow. One 
day the stable door was left open, 
and Shag, having eaten all his food, 
thought he would take a little walk, 
so he went through the door and 
in+o the road, and when one of the 



crusts, and though the snow was 
on the ground, she pattered out- 
doors and called: 
"Shagl Shagl come here!" 
Shag, who was not very far off, 
came trotting up to the gate to see 
what Jenny had got for him. Tom 
came running along, feeling glad 
that Shag had come back; and after 
Shag had eaten Jenny's crusts Tom 
led him back to the stable. G. 



QUEER LITTLE STITCHES. io5 

QUEER LITTLE STITCHES. 

Oh, queer little stitches, 
You surely are witches. 

To bother me sol 
I'm trying to plant you; 
Do stay where I want you, 

All straight in a row. , ' 

Now keep close together ! 
I never know whether 

You'll do as I say. 
Why can't you be smaller? 
You really grow taller. 

Try hard as I may! '- , 

Therel now my thread's knotted, 
My finger is dotted 

With sharp needle-pricksl 
I mean to stop trying, 
I cannot help crying; 

Oh, dear what a fixl 

Yes, yes, little stitches, 
I know you are witches — 

I'm sure of it now — 
Because you don't bother 
Grown people like mother. 

When they try to sew. 

The afternoon's going; 
I must do my sewing 

Before I can play. 
Now behave, little stitches, 
Like good-natured witches. 

The rest of the day, 

I'd almost forgotten 
About waxing my cotton. 
As good sewers do: 



TIVENTY FROGS AT SCHOOL. 

And— oh, what a memory! — 
Here is my emery 
To help coax it through. 

I'm so nicely provided, 
I've really decided 

To finish the things. 
There's nothing like trying; 
My needle is flying 

As if it had wings. 

There, good-bye, little stitches! 
You obstinate witches, 

You're punished, you know; 
You've been very ugly, 
But now you sit snugly 

Along in a row. 



TWENTY FROGS AT SCHOOL 

Twenty froggies went to school, 
Down beside a rushy pool; 
Twenty little coats of green. 
Twenty vests, all white and clean. 
" We must be in time," said they, 
" First we study, then we play; 
That is how we keep the rule 
When we froggies go to school." 

Master bull-frog, grave and stern, 

Called the classes in their turn; 

Taught them how to nobly strive, 

Likewise how to leap and dive; 

From his seat upon the log. 

Showed them how to say " Ker-chog ! " 

Also, how to dodge a blow 

From the sticks which bad boys throw. 



TIVENTY FROGS AT SCHOOL 



105 




HOP AND SKIP LEARNING TO SIVIM. 



THE KINDERGARTEN. 



AMUSEMENT. 

" Tis well to be amused; 
But when amusement does 
instruction bring, 
Tis better." 

Wm. Shakespeare. 



106 




PILING BLOCKS 



107 




fHE ORIGINATOR OF THE KINDERGARTEN. 
(1782-1852.) 



108 




LAYING OFF FIGURES. 



109 



110 THE KINDERGARTEN. 

THE KINDERGARTEN. 

METHOD OF WORK AND HOW TO APPLY IT TO THE HOME AND SCHOOL. 

Without entering at length upon the description of the gifts or 
occupations, or to furnish minute directions for their use, the object 
is to give such simple suggestions in regard to each, that the mother 
and teacher may be encouraged to begin at once a study of this im- 
portant and beautiful system of education. 

Let me say at the beginning, in order to become a thorough 
kindergartner, it is necessary to enter a training school and take up 
the work systematically, getting the theory well established, and the 
practical work of the system so instilled that one's soul will go out to 
the " new education " in such a way as to prove a pleasure and benefit 
throughout life. 

But as there are only a few of the many who can take this train- 
ing, it is to the blessed mother and willing teacher, who have not this 
privilege, that we write and dedicate this book. 

A good mother thinks nothing too trifling that concerns her child; 
she protects from evil and stimulates for good; she watches, clothes, 
feeds, and when her darlings are asleep, her prayers finish the day. 
She may not have read much about education, but her sympathy with 
the child suggests means of doing her duty. Love has made her in- 
ventive. She discovers ways of amusement, means for play, she sings, 
tells enchanting stories, and endeavors to bring him in harmony with 
God, nature and man. 

It was to help these mothers that Friedrich Froebel, the inventor 
of this system of education, conceived a "deep meaning in children's 
play." "A new life, a better life," was the burden of his song. He 
calls all occupation in kindergarten " plays," and the materials for 
occupations, "gifts." He starts from the fundamental idea that all 
education should begin with a "desire in the child for activity;" his 
method is to accustom the child to deal with things instead of words. 

His plays are arranged systematically, and each step in the course 
of training is a logical sequence of the preceding one; the various 
means of occupation are developed gradually, and in natural order, 
beginning with the simplest, and concluding with the most difficult. 



THE KINDERGARTEN. Ill 

They satisfy all the demands of the child's nature, both as to mental 
and physical culture, and lay the surest foundation for all education 
in school and in life. The fingers learn skill, the eye forms the color; 
in fact, the senses are all pleasantly and skillfully trained. 

The songs and games contain physical exercise for the feet, hands, 
wrist and arms. In every game the word, music and action accom- 
pany each other; there is no empty phrase, no meaningless movement; 
language is real to the child. 

Froebel here teaches how easy it is to prevent greediness, to check 
cruelty, to encourage kindness, to strengthen the affection. When the 
child grows older and stronger, when his little faculties have suffi- 
ciently developed, then to you, dear teacher, the mother takes her child. 
She says: "I bring my little one— take care of it, as I would do," or 
"Do it better than I am able to do." A silent agreement is made be- 
tween the parents and you, the teacher; the child is passed from hand 
to hand, from heart to heart. What else can you do but be a mother 
to the little one? I hope and trust he is placed in your care, and you 
must show yourself worthy of the confidence placed in your judgment, 
your experience and your knowledge. 

May you study well the Kindergarten method, learn how to con- 
tinue the home training, so as not to interrupt the child's developing 
process; may these suggestions, and this volume, be to you what it is 
designed to be — an incentive, a stimulus in creating a desire for 
further study of the Kindergarten system, the children and their 
wants; may it help to aid them in recognizing their threefold relation 
to God, nature and man, their relation to the past, present and future. 

To THE MOTHERS AND TEACHERS DESIRING books for study, 

"gifts and occupations," songs and games. Kindergarten materials of 
all kinds, primary helps, etc., we heartily recommend Milton Bradley 
Co., Springfield, Mass., or Thomas Charles Co., 7? and 77 Wabash 
Ave., Chicago, 111. They both have complete stocks, and will be glad 
to assist you in this good work. They will cheerfully mail you cata- 
logues upon application. 



112 



THE KINDERGARTEN. 




The following is a list of the gifts and occupations in the Kinder- 
garten. We are obliged to describe each one briefly, but will endeavor 
to do it plainly, so the busy mother who finds but little time for re- 
search may be stimulated to action, and thus get correct ideas of the 
law that governs the work. There are, in all, twenty gifts: 



1. Six rubber balls, covered with 8. 

worsted of various colors. 9. 

2. Sphere, cube and cylinder 

^. Large cube, divided into eight 10. 

small cubes. 11. 

4. Large cube, divided into eight 12. 

oblong blocks. 13. 
?. Large cube, consisting of 21 

whole, 6 half, and 12 quarter 14. 

cubes. 15. 

6. Large cube, consisting of ob- 16. 

longs divided lengthwise and 17. 

breadthwise. 18. 

7. Squares and triangular tablets 19. 

for laying off figures. 20. 



Staffs for laying off forms. 
Whole and half wire rings for 

laying off figures. 
Material for drawing. 
Material for perforating. 
Material for embroidering. 
Material for paper-cutting and 

combining the parts. 
Material for weaving. 
Slats for inter-lacing. 
Slats with many links. 
Paper strips for inter-twining. 
Material for paper folding. 
Material for peas work. 
Material for modeling. 



NOTE.— The third, fourth, and fifth gifts serve for building purposes. 



THE FIRST GIFT. Il3 

In all the Kindergarten work, whatever is presented to the child 
must be done in a simple, yet concise manner. Engage his faculties 
sufficiently to interest him, but at the same time do not give him too 
much for his present understanding, lest, like too hearty food for the 
stomach, it cannot be assimilated. 




THE FIRST GIFT. 

Nothing in the organic world but has its beginning in simplicity. 
Thus it is with the ball, an object, comprising in itself, and in the 
simplest manner, the general qualities of all things. 
As a starting point, the ball gives the first im- 
pression of form, and being the most easily moved 
of all forms, is symbolical of life. It becomes the 
first known object with which all other objects 
for the child's play are brought into relation. 

Besides teaching form, the balls are also in- 
tended to teach color; hence their number of six, 
the primary colors. The ball is used in a great variety of plays, and 
becomes the center of a little world of amusement, life, beauty, the 
fountain of a great fund of information, and the material for unlimited 
exercise for his growing powers. Through its form and color it 
stands for fruits and flowers; through its motions it becomes a flying 
bird; it rises, it falls, it rolls, it jumps, it runs away. These jolly ex- 
ercises and sentence building enlarge the child's vocabulary, and the 
teacher, in exacting the correct use of language, aids the little fellow 
more in one year now than he can accomplish in double the time ten 
years later. 

The balls can be given to the child in the cradle, or suspended 
where he can swing them back and forth soon as his eye can follow a 
moving object. When he is old enough to comprehend color, only 
one should be given at a time, and that of a primary color, red being 



114 THE FIRST GIFT. 

usually chosen. When the red ball has been fully introduced, then a 
blue one may be given, and later the yellow. 

A few days, or perhaps weeks, should pass with only the three 
colors until the child is perfectly familiar and can easily name objects 
and fruits which resemble them in form and color. How very soon 
does he begin to regard them as the dearest of little playfellows. 

Every game, well directed, will promote the child's future good. 

Let the teacher be watchful, and require the children to use their 
right hand when accepting the ball. Here, too, a lesson in courtesy 
can be brought into effect, for when taught, the little fellow will grace- 
fully bow his thanks, and be happy in so doing. 

The children's knowledge of color may be further impressed by 
asking them what things in the room and what flowers in the garden 
are similar to the different balls. When the child has received impres- 
sions of form and color, and of the other general qualities of matter, it 
thereby obtains a knowledge of the fundamental properties of things. 

A simple and pleasing exercise can be made by tossing the ball 
and catching it, throwing it against the wall, or rolling it upon the table. 
Again, two balls can be rolled in opposite directions, passing each other 
without touching, etc. 

Many simple words may be used as tney come spontaneously to 
the kindergartner to indicate the motions, imitation lessons, questions 
and answers, counting, fruit, games, etc. 

In play, the first feelings of friendship are awakened, and the 
tenderest sympathies fostered. They love to pass the ball from the 
right to the left hand, keeping time to music set to these words: 

Go over, come back here, so merry and free. 
My playfellow dear, who shares in my glee. 

The following is a pretty way of quieting the child by soothing, 
the ball: 



THE FIRST GIFT. 



115 



^ 



s \ 



i^iEE^i^^^^P^EE^EE^^E^^ 



1. The lit - tie ball lies iu my hatul, So qui - et and so still. 



:^ 



E^E=^ 



l^iE^^^^fe^ 



I'll gen - tly rock it too and fro, And nurse it well I will. 



A pretty and instructive game is the Fruit Game. 
Children stand in circle 

Child sings: — 

1 am a little gardener 

With fresh ripe fruit to sell, 
And if you please to buy from me, 

I'll try to serve you well. 

Reply by circle: — 

We see your basket is quite full 

Of different kinds of fruit. 
And we are sure to buy from you. 

If you'll make prices suit. 

Child sings: — 

I've apples green and cherries red, 

I've yellow lemons, too, 
And plums and grapes and oranges 

Which 1 shall throw to you. 

Reply by circle: — 

We'll buy your fruit and cherries red 

And yellow lemons, too. 
And plums and grapes and oranges 

Which we receive from you. 

Child sings: — 

Open wide your hands 

And catch the fruit I throw, 
And when my stock is all sold out 

I'll buy from one of you. 



116 



THE SECOND GIFT. 




THE SECOND GIFT. 

Froebel's second gift consists of a wooden ball, cube and cylinder. 
In introducing this gift we compare the wooden ball to the balls in the 
first gift, and the questions and the answers show that both are alike 
in form but unlike in color and texture. Both are 
round and both roll, but the wooden ball is hard, 
while the others are soft; it is heavy, while the 
others are light; it makes a a loud noise when 
dropped, the others can scarcely be heard. This 
proves that they are similar yet dissimilar — and on 
asking what makes the difference, the children will 
doubtless reply, — The new one is made "of wood." Very well, then 
children, if it is made of wood, we will call it a sphere so as to distin- 
guish it from the others. We must bear this in mind, to make chil- 
dren thoroughly understand anything, they must know something 
of its opposite, — what it is not as well as what it is. We see how the 
child's attention is aroused by contrast; how eagerly it observes, how 
joyfully it greets every new discovery of relationship. 

The first gift should not be thrown aside when the second gift is 
placed in the hands of the child. It will often delight to use one or 
more of them to invent new plays. Thus the balls will become more 
useful, more beautiful and hence ever dearer to him. The transition 
will be gradual and continuous, besides the child must be taught even 
at this tender age not to throw old acquaintances and friends selfishly 
away as soon as new ones with other or brighter features are introduced. 
A teacher whose heart is in the work can suggest many ways which will 
bring amusement by combining the balls with cube and cylinder. 

One pretty game whereby both gifts can be used, consists in 
placing the rubber ball at a distance on the table, and letting each 
child, in turn, attempt to hit it with the sphere. 

The comparison between the balls in the first and the second gifts 
is, perhaps, sufficient for the first lesson, but on another day the sphere. 



THE SECOND GIFT. . 117 

cube and cylinder are placed on the table, and the children are asked 
to name the points of resemblance and difference in the sphere and 
cube. They will say that both are made of wood, and both are the 
same color; but the sphere can roll, while the cube stands still. In 
other words, one represents motion, the other rest. When asked what 
makes the difference, some will say: " The sphere is round," and others 
will say: "The cube has corners." Upon investigation the child finds 
that the cube has six sides, eight corners, and twelve edges. There is, 
in fact, a world of study in it to him. The ball presents but one un- 
broken, uniformly curved surface, free of edges and corners; the 
cube presents on its surface many straight faces and edges, as well as 
many corners. The former is ever the same, whatever position it 
may assume; the latter presents a variety of aspects, according to its 
position with reference to the eye. The cube, when at rest, shows a 
contrast in form from the sphere, but when in motion it shows a sim- 
ilarity. Thus by attaching a string to the cube and rotating, the 
corners and edges disappear. 

When the exercise and pleasure has been indulged in long enough, 
add the cylinder — the boy calls it the trunk of a tree, the girls a rolling- 
pin. This, too, has the charm of speaking or making a noise, and is in 
color like the sphere and cube, and is related to both because it will 
both roll and stand still. The sphere and cube are opposites; the cylin- 
der is the intermediate form between the two; it presents more faces 
than the sphere and less than the cube. Its value as the connecting link 
becomes particularly evident when we suspend the cube by a string 
fixed to the middle of one of its sides; when it rapidly revolves in this 
position it will present the shape of a cylinder. If, then, the cylinder 
is similarly revolved while suspended by a string fixed to one of its 
edges, it will present the shape of a sphere. 

There is an endless variety of songs and games, suggesting form, 
position, color, motion, etc., that may be given to the children in con- 
trasting and comparing with this gift. 

The ball is a type of nature, the cube of art. The dewdrop, the 



118 THE THIRD GIFT, 

hail and fruits are round, the houses, cars, etc., are square or nearly so. 
All vegetable, animal and mineral kingdoms, no matter how widely 
they differ, show a similarity in form to the ball, the cube or the cylin- 
der. The fishes of the sea, the birds of the air, the human form, the 
trees, the rocks, the architecture, all, if they do not reach a normal type, 
approach it, and their form is implied. 

This gift takes the lead in cultivating imagination and inspiring 
confidence. Indeed, it is so valuable that no teacher who has once 
shared the delight of the children in this gift for one year, will ever be 
willing" to go back to the old method of teaching. 



THE THIRD GIFT. 

The third gift is connected with the first by contrast to the second, 
by similarity. It consists of a cube, divided into eight smaller one- 
inch cubes. The child's first gift was the rubber balls; the second 
^^g^^>^ gift was the wooden ball, cube and cylinder. These 
KkiIII resemble each other, yet have their own individuality. 
^JHpiil The child, in receiving the third gift, divided into 
^^^^^^^ eight smaller cubes, is delighted; each .of the parts is 
like the whole, except in size; and he is at once impressed with the 
idea of construction. 

For the intellectual side of the child's nature, the cube is so sep- 
arated into parts as to give idea of number, size, relation and shape; 
for the emotional side, it offers forms of beautv in which the small 
cubes are arranged into groups with reference to symmetry; for the pro- 
ductive side, it offers forms of life. 

These cubes are placed in a box, and according to the adage that 
"There's a way for everything." The child should be taught this 
way from the beginning. His athletic nature will see the beauty of 
order, and the systematic way will delight him, while the opposite 
will annoy him. 



THE THIRD GIFT. 



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PLATE 1. 



120 THE THIRD GIFT. 

This new gift must not be emptied carelessly into the child's lap 
so that the small cubical blocks will confuse and frighten him, but 
must be presented in a way that will delight him, and create an eager- 
ness for transformation. 

In presenting the gift the teacher says: " Now my children, to-day 
we have something delightful to play with, and can you guess what it 
is?" Of course, they will guess balls, cubes, blocks, etc. The teacher 
displaying the box asks them to describe it with regard to its sides, 
edges, corners, etc. 

The box should be inverted before the lid is withdrawn, and then 
carefully lifted oif the cube so that it stands unbroken as a whole be- 
fore the child. Here it can be divided into (2-4-8) as in plate 1, and 
the teacher can point out the increase in number of parts and decrease 
of size. The child should be taught that the cube as a whole is not 
complete without the combined action of each of its smaller cubes, — 
that no society is complete, no school successful without the aid of all 
its members. To aid in all these things, one's ambition will not be 
wasted. For ambition not used in the right direction is worse than no 
ambition at all. 

The child will soon begin to aim at the construction of crude 
forms, and will use all material and will announce his success in words 
as, " How pretty," " How useful." He will soon get the idea that form 
depends upon the position of cubes with relation to each other; that the 
elevated positions do not signify the most important, but each one is 
dependent upon the other; that position does not make the man, but 
man makes the position. Each class is dependent upon the other, the 
rich on the poor, and vice versa. Nothing is isolated, every person and 
thing bears some relation to every other person and thing, just as the 
little blocks do to each other. He will create, compare and rebuild as 
soon as he conceives the beauty in the work of transforming and not 
destroying. In this the teacher might show the beauty of her dress 
made out of an old one which, had it not been used, would have been 
wasted; thus showing that unused material is wasted material. 



THE THIRD GIFT. 



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PLATE 2. 



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122 THE FOURTH GIFT. 

The teacher should show the importance of the foundation blocks 
of a cathedral and its incompleteness without a dome. The necessity of 
kings, princes, presidents and importanceof tailors, mechanics and porters. 

This gift teaches the pupil the properties and relations of numbers. 
The little cubes can be arranged in rows on the table and their eiforts 
in counting will be marvelously correct, because done understandingly. 

Proceeding further, he is taught to add by using the cubes to illus- 
trate his work. Thus, having placed two of the blocks on the table, 
he says, " One and one are two." Then placing another upon the table, 
he says, "One and two are three," "Three and one are four," etc. 

Subtraction is taught in the same way. Having placed all cubes 
upon the table, the pupil commences taking one oif at a time, repeating 
as he does this, "One from eight leaves seven;" "One from seven 
leaves six," and so on. 

In counting and building, the last form, when the lesson is finished, 
should always be the cube. When the play is over, the child must place 
the cubes neatly in the box. He should learn early and in a practical 
manner that " order is Heaven's first law." Experience with the gifts 
will teach that not half the number of cubes will find spaces in the box, 
if it is filled contrary to the regular order. On plate 2 is represented 
many forms which can be made from this gift. 



THE FOURTH GIFT. 

The forms of the universe are ever the same, geometrical in pro- 
portion, and thus Froebel has accorded with nature in selecting his 
gifts which are also a series of geometrical forms. In the first, second 
and third gifts the little mind has obtained the idea of 
form, size, relation, position, divisibility and number. 
He has learned the art of investigation, imitation, crea- 
tion and invention. He has also learned the importance 
of comparing, analyzing and combining. His attention and reflection 
have been strengthened, his imagination drawn upon, his memory cul- 




THE FOURTH GIFT. 



123 




PLATE 3. 



124 THE FOURTH GIFT. 

tivated, his original suggestion brought into use, his taste, judgment 
and intellect developed. 

Yet here Froebel is not prone to stop, but leads on — dimension is 
yet to be taught, fractions yet to be conceived, symmetry and proportion 
are to be more fully developed, and the reasoning faculty is to be more 
largely called into use. 

The fourth gift as a whole is similar in form to the third, but dif- 
fers widely with reference to its parts. Instead of one horizontal and 
one vertical cut forming smaller cubes, this gift has one horizontal and 
three vertical, forming brick-shaped blocks. The principal new element 
in this gift is the difference in dimension. Each of the parts of the 
large cube is an oblong, whose length is twice its width, and four times 
its thickness — in other words, the height, breadth and thickness being 
in proportion of 4-2-and 1. In consequence of this difference of 
dimension, the variety of forms in this gift can be more extended and 
more complicated, while at the same time it requires greater calculation 
on the part of the child to produce them in symmetry. 

This gift is introduced to the children in a manner similar to that 
of the third gift. The children invert their boxes, draw out the lids, 
raise the box, and disclose the cube. They are taught that they are 
alike in bulk, in the number and heaviness of their parts, and in their 
square forms and angles. Both gifts, when entire, form cubes of 
equal size. 

Now let the scholars compare one of the small cubes of the third 
gift with one of the oblongs in this gift; note the ditference. Teach 
them to feel that, though the blocks differ in form, yet their solid 
contents are the same, and that what is lost in one direction is gained 
in the other. 

If told to name objects that resemble the oblong, they will readily 
designate a trunk, brick, bench, etc., and when permitted to invent 
forms of life will, doubtless, construct boxes, sidewalk, train of cars, 
etc. 

The kindergartner says: "Let us all make a city," and immediately 



THE FOURTH GIFT. 125 

one child proceeds to make the stores, another builds a schoolhouse, 
and others a church, the courthouse, a cottai^-e, a factory, etc., while, 
in pleasing manner, each object may be made the subject for a little 
lesson. 

In all this work the right way is the only successful way. Obser- 
vation in the child should be the first faculty cultivated, for in all 
nature, all objects, he has to deal with geometrical form. Discrimina- 
tion of form is discrimination of character, books and society. One 
who studies nature's law, studies truth, harmony and completeness. 

On plate ^ is represented forms of beauty constructed from this 
gift. Taking the blocks and starting with a few simple positions, we 
are able to develop forms of beauty by means of a fixed law. In nature 
there is a law for everything — that for beauty is to keep opposites 
alike. No edifice is beautiful, no structure harmonious, unless this law 
is strictly applied. Symmetry in proportion does not imply a lack of 
variety — it merely implies a uniformity of opposites. Who was ever 
struck with the beauty of one side of the window several inches lower 
than the opposite side? Every change of position is accompanied by 
a corresponding movement on the opposite side. In this way symmetri- 
cal figures may be constructed in infinite variety, which please the eye 
and minister to a correct artistic taste. In all this work, some lesson 
may be taught the child, or some truth impressed. For instance: Re- 
quire it to build "the house where it lives," and while this is being 
done, converse freely with the children, ask whether they love their 
home? Why? tic. Let us train the heart as well as the hand. 
Ask what constitutes a perfect home. Each word that each one of us 
utters weighs just as much as the character with which it is backed. 
The noblest words spoken by a mean man are powerless for good, 
while the simplest utterances of the pure soul tells to the full extent of 
that soul's purity. 




126 THE FIFTH GIFT. 

THE FIFTH GIFT. 

"The child learns through doing the work of the hands, clears the 
thought of the head." 

The fifth gift, like that of the third and fourth gifts, consists of a 
cube, although larger than the previous ones. It is 
divided twice in every direction, that is, into twenty- 
seven equal cubes, each cube being of the same size 
as those of the third gift. The number three is the 
first new feature that strikes us. 

This gift contains as new elements the oblique lines, which appear 
in the third and fourth gifts in the form of life and beauty. Here they 
appear as a connecting link between the horizontal and perpendicular 
lines. So we see what has been implied is now realized. 

As we said before, — the fifth gift consists of a large cube divided 
twice in all directions, thus making twenty-seven smaller cubes of the 
same size as those of the third gift. Three of these smaller cubes are 
cut diagonally, and three others are cut twice diagonally. Therefore 
the whole gift is made up of thirty-nine pieces, — twenty-one whole, 
six halves and twelve fourths. Its progress is unlimited; it continues 
the arithmetical of the third, and geometrical of the fourth. 

A greater variety of forms of life and beauty can be constructed, 
and more advanced exercises in number and form given. It is especi- 
ally adapted for older children, who have mastered the previous gifts, 
though cannot be used with profit before the fifth year. 

All these occupations can be used advantageously in the primary 
department. This gift is especially adapted in simplifying and aiding 
children to unravel complicated exercises. For the continuation of 
the exercises in arithmetic, begun with the previous gifts, these cubes 
are of great use. Exercises in addition and subtraction can be con- 
tinued more extensively, and the child will be enabled to learn the 
multiplication table in a much shorter time, than it could be accom- 
plished by committing to memory, without visible objects. 



THE FIFTH GIFT. 



127 




PLATE 4. 



128 THE SIXTH GIFT. 

If the forms of knowledge, consisting of halves, quarters, and 
eights, have not been practiced enough previously, those exercises should 
be repeated with this gift, and the child should be given eight cubes 
from the gift, and such exercises as have been omitted, should be now 
practised. When this is done, then may follow the division of the fifth 
gift into thirds, ninths, and twenty-sevenths. Repetitions are of so 
much more importance, as they throw each time new light on the 
subject. By the use of the triangle, the child can produce new results; 
he can dispense with sharp corners, give roofs to his houses, construct 
ground forms for his buildings, and perform many wonderful feats. 
It is natural for the child to like this gift. Each day will bring added 
pleasure to him, and especially if the teacher is an ingenious one, 
the pupil will never be in want of a diflferent starting point. 

The forms given on plate 4 are varied, showing what can be con- 
structed from this gift alone. 

Do not, dear teacher, continue these occupations any longer than 
the attention of the children can be kept alive. Short instructive stories 
and conversations should be interwoven. As soon as signs of fatigue 
or lack of interest become manifest, drop the subject at once, and leave 
the gift to the pupils for their own amusement. 



THE SIXTH GIFT. 

As the third and fifth gifts form a regular sequence, so the fourth 

and sixth are related. This gift contains twenty-seven oblong blocks 

of the same size as the fourth gift. Eighteen of these are whole, six 

^^^^;~^^^^^ are divided breadthwise, each in two squares, and 

three lengthwise, each in two columns; making 

thirty-six pieces in all. In this gift it is mainly 

the proportions — size of oblongs, squares and col- 

^^^^ _ umns — and the number of each kind, which the 

___-_-^- ^j^jj^ ^^^ ^^ Xfuxn before building with it. 

Froebel's theory is logically connected, each succeeding gift with 



THE SIXTH GIFT. 



129 




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PLATE 5. 



i30 THE SEFENTH GIFT. 

a preceding one, and is complete in itself, and forms a part of a great 
whole. For analogy, we refer to nature. Time is logically connected, 
every preceding with succeeding day, each of which are whole, and yet 
component parts of the great whole. As one has said: — 

"Our to-days and yesterdays 
Are the blocks with which we build." 

So with the kindergarten, the child's blocks to-day are a completion of 
yesterday's, and foreshadow that which must follow to-morrow. 

The general remarks on the fourth gift apply equally to this. 
Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division may become very 
interesting to the child through this gift. The columns and oblong 
blocks may stand for trees, lamp-posts, or any object to suit a child's 
fancy. They can be arranged in rows or in twos or threes, or in whatever 
position the teacher conceives as best in order to carry on her work in 
teaching the fundamental principles of arithmetic. 

An endless variety of dictation lessons may be given, according to 
the peculiar genius of the teacher, and the capabilities of the children. 
The forms of life given on plate ?, are varied so as to show the possi- 
bilities of formation. It is the duty of the teacher to educate the child 
so he may realize his greatest possibilities. " Trees are known by their 
fruit, men by their actions, God by His works." 

With the sixth gift, we reach the two series of development given 
by Froebel in the building blocks, whose aim is to acquaint the child 
with the general qualities of the solid body by his own observation and 
experience with the same. 



THE SEVENTH GIFT. 

Froebel's seventh gift consists of finely polished quadrangular and 
triangular tablets, of light and dark hard woods in their natural colors, 
and are used for the laying of figures. In the preceding gifts the child 
has been dealing with solid bodies,— a square with length, width and 



THE SEI/ENTH GIFT. 



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PLATE 6. 



132 



THE SEVENTH GIFT. 




A 



depth. Now, however, instead of deahng with solids, he has to deal 
with surface, which is the result of a straight line in motion, or in other 
words, a plane with both length and width, but no depth. 

In this series there are several ditferent forms of tablets 
and are thus for convenience and utility contained in 
separate boxes. Six of the quadrangular tablets (square) 
are first given to the child, and he is acquainted with 
their form, compares them with other things possessing 
similar qualities, and finally discovers he can cover a cube 
with them. From this starting point valuable lessons can 
be constantly drawn, and, in fact, there is no limit to his 
advancement, for this gift has a multitude of lessons for 
him. 

Soon the child is led to perpendicular and horizontal 
lines and the right angle, which is formed by one meeting 
the other. From these he is led to investigate more deeply 
the relations of form. Later on the other tablets are given 
him. It is impossible to explain in detail within the 
limited space, the mode of work in this gift; the forms of life, of 

knowledge, of beauty and its application to 
mathematics and geometry. Indeed, we can 
but hint of its great value, and urge the 
teachers in the primary department to take hold of it and enliven the 
interest of their pupils in regard to this beautiful method of teaching 
geometry. 

As a Kindergarten gift, this material should not be used without a 
knowledge of its relation to the whole system, but it may be used 
independently, as we before stated, in the primary school with good 
effect in teaching form, and it may also be used to construct forms of 
life and beauty, by children who desire to be kept busy, and are fasci- 
nated with work of this kind. 

Plate 6 shows a few of the forms in which these tablets may be 

used. 





THE EIGHTH GIFT. 



133 




THE EIGHTH GIFT. 

Froebel's eighth gift consists of staflfs of varying length, about one- 
twelfth of an inch thick. In the seventh gift, the child dealt with planes 
whichformasolid; inthisgift,he 
has to deal with lines. He takes 
the staflfs and makes the square, 
and finally the solid. In this 
gift, the child sees the edges of 
his cube represented. The sticks 
are an outgrowth of the cube; 
they embody its edges, and with 
these the child has now to be- 
come familiar, and the world of 
occupation furnished by this gift is a continual wonder to him. 

In presenting this work, only one staflf should be given at a time, 
and the teacher should require the child to take it with his right hand. 

Great care is required in laying forms with the sticks, as even a 
breath will often displace them. 

When the sticks are given to the children, they will find that they 
are made of wood, that they have length, but no great thickness. Many 
questions can be asked, and many valuable facts given in a manner 
which the child can understand — as to where the stick comes from, as 
to the diflferent kinds of trees, the diflferent parts of the tree, etc. 

When the children are seated around the table, a pretty exercise 
can be made by each child placing his staflf perpendicularly and naming 
it soldier, broom, tree, etc. They will soon get the idea of position, 
form and resemblance to other objects. After this exercise, they can 
place it horizontally and continue the exercise, then obliquely, etc. 

The child receives a second staflf. The very first exercise aflfords 
practice for the little fingers, encourages simple arithmetic for the little 
minds, exact proportion for the untrained eyes, and discipline for the 
youthful brains; while in their more complex conditions they demand 



134 THE NINTH GIFT. 

all the skill of trained minds, dexterous fingers, quick perception, and, 
in short, a high degree of culture for all the faculties, in order to 
develop them. 

After the work of two staffs has been exhausted, three may be 
given, then four, and so on. Plate 7 gives representation of a large 
number of forms. The fundamental principles of arithmetic could be 
taught with great interest, namely: Addition, subtraction, multiplica- 
tion and division. Much skill depends upon the teacher. The clear- 
ness with which she teaches and the 'energy and zeal of the little ones 
is taken from her inspiration. Thus, in this gift, we see all the facul- 
ties of the mind are cultivated, and through their cultivation the child 
is given a greater individuality. His observation will be more acute, 
his reflection more earnest, his memory better strengthened, his imag- 
ination exercised, and his expressions more direct and precise. 

The occupation with laying staffs is one of the earliest in the Kin- 
dergarten, and is employed in teaching numerals, reading, writing and 
drawing. 

THE NINTH GIFT. 

The ninth gift consists of wire rings, twenty-four whole and forty- 
eight half ones, of two different sizes. These are the representatives 
of the two rounded curved lines. The gift is a continuation of the 

preceding one, and aids the child greatly in 
drawing, designing and executing plans. 

The manner of presenting this gift should 
be similar to the introduction of all the gifts. 
The work should beg«in with simplicity. The 
child receives one whole ring and two half 
rings. Looking at the whole ring the children observe that there is 
neither beginning nor end in the ring, — that it represents the circle. 
With the half ring, they have two ends ; two of the half rings form one 
whole ring, and the children show this by example. Two half rings or 




THE EIGHTH AND NINTH GIFTS. 



135 




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THE NINTH GIFT 



half circles do not form angles, when combined like two cubes, two 
tablets or two staflfs. In all cases, where corners and angles and ends 
are concerned in this combination, corners and angles are again pro- 
duced. The ring is compared to other rings, and soon the fingering 
and hoop will be named. 

The children may also be asked to name what they see around them 
of a shape similar to a ring, and many things will be mentioned. All 
forms made with this gift are, owing to the nature of the circular line, 
beautiful, and therefore its use is an important one. 

The sticks of the eighth gift, and the rings of this, may be used to- 
gether with very pleasing and profitable results,. as shown by our illus- 
tration. Like forms laid with sticks, those represented with rings and 

half rings also, may be drawn on the 
slate or paper by the children. 

It is a difficult question for a 
teacher to settle, "How far shall I 
help the child, and how far shall the 
child be required to help himself?" 
The teachings of nature seem to in- 
dicate that the child should be taught 
chiefly to depend upon his own resources. This is also common sense. 
Whatever is learned should be so thoroughly learned that the next and 
higher step shall be comparatively easy. The skill of the teacher will 
be best manifested if he can contrive to awaken such a spirit of zeal 
in the child as will kindle a desire to do it himself before he will con- 
sent to let the teacher do it for him. 

A valuable lesson can be taught about the material of which the 
ring is made. The child will listen eagerly to the story of "how iron 
was found." The child may be told that iron is the most useful of 
metals; although gold is the more costly, yet iron is the more precious- 
Looking around us we find ever so many articles of daily use and 
necessity, that are made of iron. Our engines, fences, foundation to 
buildings, gates, cooking utensils, our stoves and grates, the locks on 




THE TENTH GIFT. 137 

our doors, etc. No other metal so increases in value by reason of the 
labor bestowed upon it. For instance a piece of ore that a child would 
hardly pick up, when gone through certain process, and has been 
operated upon by a skillful mechanic, how valuable it becomes. 




THE TENTH GIFT. 

The tenth gift consists of material for drawing. It not only de- 
velops the power for representing things the mind has perceived, but 
affords the best means for testing how far 
they have been perceived correctly. 

Froebel has thus invented a beautiful 
method of drawing, adapted to the young 
mind and unsteady hand, which the child 
need not imitate, but proceed, self-act- 
ingly, to perform work which enables 
him to reflect, reason, and finally to in- 
vent, himself. The child is furnished with a slate, covered by a net- 
work of engraved lines (one-fourth of an inch apart), and by certain 
rules he is enabled to work out forms of life and beauty, in a systematic 
and fascinating manner. The lines on the slate guide the child in mov- 
ing the pencil; they assist in measuring and comparing position, size 
and relative center, and sides of objects. 

On plate 8 is shown the course pursued in the drawing department 
of the Kindergarten. The child is first occupied by the perpendicular 
line. The teacher draws upon the slate a perpendicular line of a single 
length (one-fourth of an inch), saying while so doing, 1 draw a line of 
a singfle length downward. She then requires the child to do the same. 
The child is then required to draw a perpendicular line of two lengths, 
and advances slowly to lines of three, four and five lengths. 

This work progresses from the simple to the complex. After the 
perpendicular has been carried to five lengths, the horizontal line is 



138 



THE TENTH GIFT. 



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PLATE 8. 



THE ELEVENTH AND TIVELFTH GIFTS. 139 

then brought into use. After the work of the horizontal Hne has been 
accomplished, the child finally arrives at the combination of the per- 
pendicular and horizontal. 

First lines of one single length are combined, etc. After the work 
has been accomplished, the child is given an opportunity to invent. 
From the perpendicular and horizontal, the work proceeds to the oblique 
line, and after the work of this line has been accomplished, the child is 
given another opportunity to invent. 

This gift is indeed a charming one to the children, and we regret 
that brevity becomes necessary when there is so much to explain in 
regard to its usefulness. As soon as the child has acquired some skill 
in making the straight lines, he will take delight in drawing upon the 
slate the various figures he has constructed with the sticks and tablets, 
and to invent forms of beauty with the pencil, and to verify them af- 
terward with the tablets and sticks. 

The drawing on the slate is followed by drawing on paper ruled 
like the slate. Many pleasing and valuable lessons may be taught by 
talking with the children about the material with which they are 
working; for instance, the removal and preparation of the slate — which 
is a species of stone— many interesting facts may be given. The differ- 
ent uses of slate, as for tiles, mantel-pieces, slate pencils, etc., may 
be mentioned. The frame of the slate offers an opportunity to speak 
about wood and trees. The sponge is also taken into consideration, 
and how we find it leads us to the wonders of the ocean and the mar- 
velous works of God. 



THE ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH GIFTS. 

In the preceding work the cube represents the body, the tablets 
the plane, the stick and ring the line, and this occupation brings us 
down to the point. 



140 



THE ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH GIFTS. 



The eleventh and twelfth gifts consist of material for perforating 
(pricking) and embroidering (sewing). The 
material for these two occupations consists of a 
piece of net paper, placed upon layers of soft 
blotting paper. A strong needle, fastened in a 
holder so as to project about one-fourth of an 
inch, is used as the perforating tool, and with 
which the child pricks the representation on the 
paper. The perforating, accompanied by the use of the needle and silk, 
or worsted, is the way the embroidery is done. Cards with outlines 





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sidered very desirable. A series of original designs is now offered, 
embracing animals, figures of children, and Christmas and New Year's 



THE ELEVENTH AND TIVELFTH GIFTS. 



141 



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PLATE 9. FLORENCE SEWING SCHOOL. 



142 



THE ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH GIF7S. 



cards. With the introduction of the perforating paper and pricking 
needle we have descended to the smallest part of the whole. 

Sewing with silk is simply " drawing with the given line," instead 
of drawing with the pencil. The material of each gift or occupation 
will always aiTord a subject for pleasant conversation; the worsted will 
remind one of lambs, sheep washing and shearing. The children will 
attentively examine their clothes, or any woolen material around them. 
If a cotton thread is used, it leads us to the "sunny South," and we see 
the colored people gather the cotton contained in the capsules of the 





307 
















W7 













plant; we see how this is piled up in large heaps, forming by and by 
large bales of cotton, which are pressed and sent to the manufactories 
in the different countries, where it is prepared for dresses and under- 
wear. The red color, which is usually used for this work, will induce 
us to tell the story of the discovery of cochineal, which yields such a 
brilliant red color, and is grown on bushes in Cuba and other warm 
countries. Facts of this kind, told in a simple way, will interest the 
child in the work before him. 



7HE ELEl^ENTH AND TWELFTH GIFTS. 



143 




PLATE 10. 



144 THE THIRTEENTH GIFT. 

What an amount of general information the Kindergarten child 
will have acquired by the time he is old enough for primary school. 

The hand can be trained and developed, like any other part of the 
body, when taught in the right way, and begun at the proper time. 
Not only does every gift and occupation serve to train the hand, but 
especially is this the case with the eleventh and twelfth gifts. They give 
steadiness to the eye and hand, and aid the eye to determine distances. 

The method pursued with this occupation, plate 9, is similar to that 
employed in the drawing department. Starting from the sign point, 
the child is gradually led through all the various grades of difficulty. 
From step to step its interest in the work will increase, and in order to 
vary the work the teacher frequently gives cards containing different 
objects (plate 10), which the child is permitted to embroider with 
various colors to make it as near like the natural object as it can be made. 

From these forms it may be seen that barns, leaves, fruit, fishes, 
birds, animals, and many other forms can be represented with the thread 
in a simple way. If necessary, a few strokes with the pencil may be 
added to complete the form. The child may also trace the outline of 
the form taken by the thread on the slate, in order to preserve it. 



THE THIRTEENTH GIFT. 

The thirteenth gift consists of material for cutting paper and 
mounting pieces to produc* tlgures and forms. The materials for this 
occupation are square pieces of paper for cutting, and cardboard for 
mounting, a pair of blunt-pointed scissors, a bottle of mucilage, a small, 
clean piece of cotton cloth, and a camel-hair brush. 

Froebel's method is to place material before the child, from which 
he produces, by cutting according to certain laws, instructive and 
beautiful forms. In order to accomplish a sufficient exactness in cut- 
ting, the uppermost triangle contains a kind of net as a guide. The 
work is regulated according to the "law of opposites." 



THE THIRTEENTH GIFT. 



145 




10 



PLATE 11. 



146 



THE THIKTEENTH GIFT. 



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We commence with the vertical cut, come to its opposite, the 
horizontal, and finally to the oblique. 

The ground form is made with a square piece of paper, according 

to the following directions: 1st. Lay the 
square straight on the table. 2d. Unite 
two opposite corners so as to form two 
triangles. M. Hold the double corners 
in the fingers, and unite the other two 
corners. By this means, a triangle is pro- 
duced, with one side closed, and the other 
open. 4th. Turn one of the folds to the 
right, the other to the left, keeping the 
corners, where they are all united, be- 
tween the forefinger and the thumb. 

With the first perpendicular cut, the course of development is in- 
dicated in a series of figures given by Froebel, and all inventions are 
but simple combinations of the element presented in the "school." 
Plate 11 indicates the method pursued in this gift. 
As separation always requires its opposite, uniting, so the cutting 
requires mounting. The child should be taught analysis and synthesis 
from the beginning, and through his analysis he will get a clearer idea 
of the whole and its relation to parts, but, while analysis is a very im- 
>portant part of the work, is not combining equally as important? It is 
the putting together of the work which will enrich the world. The 
services of l^e chemist are invaluable, yet, without the aid of the 
pharmacist the chemist's labor would be almost worthless. For the 
purpose of putting together the child is furnished with sheets of paper 
or pasteboard, upon which the various pieces may be pasted in a sym- 
metrical manner, according to his fancy. 

Plate 12 presents some examples of the manner in which the 
mounting may be applied. The teacher should from time to time tell 
some story, which shall relate especially to the forms which they are 
cutting, or about the paper, how it is made, and what it is made from; 



THP. IHIRTFHNTH GIFT. 



147 



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PLATE 12. 



148 



THE FOURTEENTH GIFT. 



where the steel comes from that makes the scissors, and many other 
useful lessons can now be impressed that will never be forgotten. If 
children are untidy about their work, remind them of their careless- 
ness, but always in a gentle manner. Let them, if possible, correct their 
own mistakes. What a child can do for himself, no one should do for 
him. 



THE FOURTEENTH GIFT. 

The fourteenth gift consists of material for braiding and weaving. 
The materials used for this occupation are sheets of paper prepared 
as shown on plate 13, strips of paper, and the braiding needle of steel 
or wood. 

The braiding is done by drawing, with the needle, a loose strip 

(white) through the strips of the braiding 
sheet (red) so that the white strips will 
appear first over, then under the red 
strip, as shown in illustration on plate — . 
In this gift, as in all others, there is 
a system of work, which, when followed 
out, is most gratifying. While pursuing 
this work, pains must be taken, or errors 
will occur. It requires concentration of mind and purpose, clean hands 
and ready thoughts. The teacher can here, with benefit, give ample 
time for inventions. Plate 14 presents some invented patterns which 
may be used for oil-cloths, tiling, tidies, rugs, etc. While it takes time 
to accomplish such results, yet there are many who have found their 
life work by acquiring a taste for these inventions in the Kindergarten. 
This occupation is a great favorite with children. It keeps both 
hands at work, pleases the eye, cultivates the taste, and affords constant 
practice in numbers. 





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149 




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150 



THE FOURTEENTH GIFT. 



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THE FIFTEENTH GIFT. tSl 



THE FIFTEENTH GIFT. 




The fifteenth gift consists of disconnected slats, made of birch, or 
any tough' wood, ten inches long, three-eighths of an inch broad, and 
one-sixteenth of an inch thick; they are used to construct objects by in- 
terlacing them. In all gifts and occupations number 
decides the form. With one, two or three slats it is not 
possible to interlace a form; but with four slats this 
can be done. Forms made of five, six, seven, eight, or 
more slats then follow. The slats may be given in bundles 
of ten or twelve. A dozen slats are sufficient to represent a number of 
figures. The children are happy while making the various pretty forms, 
and they are also learning available lessons in geometry. While doing 
this they are impressed in a'simple way with the truth that it is not 
the greatness of the attempt that makes work satisfactory, but the de- 
gree of perfection with which the design is wrought out — however 
simple it may be. 

In everything rules and work are eternal law. This law speaks in 
nature, in the soul and in life, which is the connecting link between the 
natural and the spiritual, or between nature and the soul. This law 
may be grasped intuitively by faith, or verified by reason, and while 
the youngest child may know enough of it to guide his own life, the 
deepest thinker can never grasp it all. 

When looking at the subject "universal law," we ask ourselves 
what has this to do with Kindergarten? Universal law is a subject with 
which philosophers have to deal, a law which acts throughout nature, 
and produces the same result, though in a modified form, in every age, 
every life, and in every clime. We repeat. What has this to do with the 
Kindergarten? If we see it right we reply. It has everything to do with 
it. Does not the little ball, cube and cylinder represent in some man- 
ner every type in the universe ? Is not the little plaything represented 
by opposites — the ball to the cube, and is not one of the universal 
laws "the law of opposites"? Do not the Kindergarten gifts begin 



152 



THE FIFTEENTH GIFT. 




'PLATE 15. 



THE SIXTEENTH GIFT. 153 

with unity and proceed to variety, following a prescribed law through- 
out their course ? 

It is the perfect simplicity of each part that makes the whole so 
clear and strong. At each stage we find that we have only been fol- 
lowing simple laws, few in number, and perfectly plain in their con- 
struction and meaning. If the child devotes his time to some aimless 
gratification, yielding no result whatever, his life is blighted. But, while 
following a course that fits him, by and by, for better and more serious 
work, he gains, with each new step, an increase in strength of mind 
and body. 

This gift quickens the child's perceptive powers, his originality, 
and increases his patience; indeed, all its faculties must be brought 
into use. 

Plate 1? represents forms produced with many slats. 



THE SIXTEENTH GIFT. 

The sixteenth gift consists of the slat with many links. These 
slats overlap each other at the end, and are fastened together by a rivet, 
so that they can be folded up or unfolded and moved into diflferent 

forms, either geometrically or symmetrically, 
or into representations of objects. This occu- 
pation material is to represent various lines, 
angles and figures, and may be used to ad- 
vantage in the Kindergarten, primary, and 
even higher school grades. Forms of life and 
beauty are also constructed with charming 
results. We have slats with four, six, eight 
and sixteen links, which are introduced one 
after the other, as soon as the child is ready 
for them. When giving the first to him, we ask him to unfold the links 
and place it on the table, so as to represent the vertical, horizontal and 




154 



THE SEVENTEENTH GIFT. 



oblique lines. By shifting its parts, we can bend two of the links per- 
pendicularly, the two others horizontally, thus we form right angles. 

This gift otTers a good opportunity to study the different angles to 
advantage — thus, by turning a right angle about in all possible posi- 
tions, we find what constitutes a right angle, and see that the latter 
need not necessarily be made by a horizontal and a vertical line. 

The parallel lines are also distinctly shown in all possible positions. 
These forms are not so easily undone; they may be handled without 
falling to pieces, and the corners and edges are not misplaced by being 
touched; every form thus becomes very tangible and real, and many a 
new truth presents itself to the mind of the child. 

The slats can be rendered exceedingly interesting and instructive to 
the pupils. Their ingenuity and inventive power will find a large field 
in which to work. With this material, occasionally they should be al- 
lowed to invent figures and make drawings, giving a description of 
their work in their own language. 



THE SEVENTEENTH GIFT. 

PAPER STRIPS FOR INTER-TWINING. 





Paper strips of various colors, folded lengthwise, are used to rep- 
resent a variety of fanciful forms by bending, twisting and inter- 
twining, according to certain rules. 

The work of intertwining is similar to the sixteenth gift work, al- 



THE SEVENTEENTH GIFT. 



155 




PLATE 16. 



156 THE EIGHTEENTH GIFT. 

though much more difficult to perform, thus requiring- more patience, 
more skill, and steady thoughtful action to accomplish good results. 
In this gift the pupil has to prepare his material each time before using, 
while in the sixteenth gift the material is always ready. There the hard 
slat is used, here pliable paper. 

As we said before, the work of this gift is not easily accomplished, 
especially when first given to the children, but after repeated trials 
they usually master the difficulties, and have learned many valuable les- 
sons in perseverance, neatness and cleanliness. 

This gift should be given to pupils who are advanced in age, skill 
and workmanship. To form figures the angles are pinched together, 
sometimes to the right, and sometimes to the left. Many times the 
strips are not long enough to produce the desired figure, and at such 
times longer strips have to be pasted to complete the design. 
'Plate 16 represents figures made from this gift. 



THE EIGHTEENTH GIFT. 

FOLDING PAPER. 

The material for paper folding consists of square, rectangular, tri- 
angular and circular pieces, with which variously shaped objects are 
formed. 

Froebel's paper for folding contains a multitude of instructive and 
interesting forms. Almost every feature of 
mathematical form we find in this occupation; 
lines, angles and forms of all varieties appear. 
We should bear in mind that pleasant impres- 
sions are lasting ones, and thus make this 
occupation especially pleasing by accompanying the work with useful 
conversation and pleasant stories. A lesson on the manufacture of 
paper, and the coloring for the different dyes can be made very inter- 
esting to their young minds. The material used is a square piece of 
paper, and the method of folding is begun in the following manner : 




THE EIGHTEENTH GIFT. 



157 





Jf^ 




PLATE 17. 



158 THE NINETEENTH GIFT. 

1. Fold tne paper so that the two opposite corners unite, forming 
two right-angled isosceles triangles. The child can see that this tri- 
angle is exactly one-half of the square, and has the same base and 
altitude. 

2. Fold the square in the middle, and two equal parallelograms 
are formed. 

3. Fold the square in the middle the opposite way, so as to form 
two equal parallelograms as before, and, on opening it, we fmd two 
equal squares, and four equal isosceles triangles. 

4. Fold the paper as at first, but again unite the two opposite 
corners, and when opened we fmd the whole square divided into eight 
equal right-angled isosceles triangles, having all their vertices meet- 
ing in the center. 

?. Fold the same paper into four equal squares, then unite the 
two corners, which have not been before united, and eight equal tri- 
angles will be produced. On opening the paper we fmd a square in the 
center, divided into eight equal triangles, and on each side of the square 
one right-angled triangle, divided into two equal triangles. 

This is but the beginning of a great variety of forms. Plate 17 
represents a sheet of paper placed upon the table; the several folds are 
clearly shown in the figures that follow. Lines, angles, squares and all 
mathematical forms are produced by continuing this work, and the re- 
sult is very satisfactory from a beautiful and symmetrical standpoint, as 
well as a mathematical one- 



THE NINETEENTH GIFT. 

MATERIAL FOR PEAS WORK. 



From the cube to the plane (tablets) to the lines (sticks and rings) 
we again come to the point which represents the corner of the cube. 
The material consists of pieces of wire of the thickness of a hairpin, 
of various sizes in length, and pointed at the ends. As means to com- 



THE NINETEENTH GIFT. 



159 




PLATE 18. 



160 



THE TIVENTIETH GIFT. 



bine points, peas are used, soaked about twelve hours in water, and 
dried one hour before using. 

After soaking, the peas are pliable enough to enable the child to 
put the ends of the wire into them, and he can, in this way, construct 
objects of life and beauty, and also geometrical figures, to suit his fancy. 

This gift is a fascinating one to the children, and they delight to 
preserve the forms, and indeed they become valuable in training the 
eye to perspective drawing. 

The first exercise is to combine two wires, by means of one pea, 
j"^^^ a straight line, obtuse, right and acute angle. From two wires we 





proceed to three, then four, and so on. Wooden sticks, similar to those 
used in stick laying, but thinner, may be used in place of wire, and 
small cubes of cork in place of peas. Some pupils successfully con- 
struct letters and numerals with the material of this gift, which are 
good representations of forms of life, while others construct forms of 
beauty. Much depends upon the individuality of the child. 

Froebel's gifts and occupations contain the foundation to all human 
occupations; they are the true means of play for the children, and as 
such, are the guide for right and just treatment. Altogether, they de- 
velop heart, mind and body. Plate 18 shows a number of forms that 
can be produced from these simple materials. 



THE TWENTIETH GIFT. 

The twentieth gift teaches the art of modeling, or working in clay. 
It deals with form with reference to the touch, and with beauty and 
form in reference to the eye. 

As modeling is one of the oldest and most useful of arts, and, at 



THE TWENTIETH GIFT. 



161 




PLATE 19 



162 THE TiVENTIETH GIFT. 

the same time, the simplest in some of its forms, and most difficult in 
others. The little hand can shape something, no matter how crude and 
incorrect, and he will see a similarity to something in nature. Give 
the child a piece of clay, and tell him to make what he desires. He is 
delighted. The material is pliable; it will bend; he, for once, has 
within his grasp something that he can force to do what he will, or 
make of it what he desires. But let him once make it, and is he not 
delighted? Does he have a desire to destroy it? No, not half so much 
as he does his toy which he has not learned to appreciate. With the 
object which he has formed of clay, he is not obliged to pull it apart 
to see what it is made of, for he knows. 

We say, Is it possible for these little hands to so neatly and beauti- 
fully do this work? It is true, for before our eyes this same little 
fellow has made still another figure, more beautiful and more accurate, 
and his radiant face shows an enthusiasm so great that he can scarcely 
wait to show it, yet he takes time to put on the last delicate strokes to 
make it true to nature. 

Individual activity is everywhere seen in these occupations, and it 
cannot but be admitted that the Kindergarten is the place for the 
development of a child's talents. The awakening of the natural gift 
in the child may prove a blessing throughout life, and even when the 
talent is moderate, is not the development of the sense of beauty and 
the training of the eye and hand a blessing to every child, of whatever 
capacity ? And is it not a double blessing to the future workman to 
whom eye and hand are the natural implements of his craft, and to 
whom the beautiful are offered through the Kindergarten, as they would 
never appear in his home where the main object is to earn the daily 
bread, and where bad habits too often prevail ? 

Here we would deviate for a moment, and let the pen write one 
word of encouragement to the seemingly disheartened teacher of charity 
work. Seed sown now will in time bear fruit, or as Scripture has it, 
"Cast thy bread upon the waters, and it shall return to thee after many 
days." The good will spring up though we see it not, and our reward 



THE TIVENTIETH GIFT. 163 

Will be all that is promised and in proportion to our labor. All that is 
planted well, and watered, wisely, will in time bear a rich harvest. But 
we cannot dwell upon this ; hoping we have planted well, let us water 
wisely, and trust to the Father of all to preserve the fruit. We return 
to modeling— here as elsewhere the perceptive faculties must be 
thoroughly trained. If the child should receive no impression there 
could be no development, and if faint impression, imperfect development. 

The child receives a small quantity of clay, a wooden knife, a 
small board and a piece of oiled paper, on which it performs the work. 
First the child forms a sphere, from which it may produce many ob- 
jects. He attaches a stem— it is a cherry; if he makes depressions and 
elevations, it will look like an apple; from it the pear, nut, potato, a 
head, may be modeled, etc. After the sphere, a cylindrical body may 
be formed, by rolling on the board, usually called by the children a 
rolling-pin, a cane, a candle, stick of candy, etc. Soon the child will 
represent the cube from it; he produces a house, a box, a cofTee-mill, 
and similar things. Soon other forms of life will grow into existence, 
as plates, dishes, animals and human beings, houses, churches, birds' 
nests, etc. 

Clay should be kept in a piece of wet carpet, and in a cool place. 
The objects formed of it should be dried in the sun, or in a mildly- 
heated stove, and then coated with gum arabic, or varnish, which gives 
them the appearance of crockery. 

Plate 19 shows a few of the many things that can be made from 
clay. 



164 



HORACE AND HIS KINDERGARTEN FRIEND. 



HORACE AND HIS KINDERGARTEN FRIEND. 

It was Friday morning, and Horace had been playing in the fields. 
He had intended to take home to the cook a basket of blackberries for 
to-morrow's pie, but he ate the blackberries almost as soon as he had 
-— _^ ^ gathered them. However, 

■- -^ "' "^ *- with a good deal of self- 

control he did manage +o 
put a few berries into the 
cook's basket. He looked 
a jolly little fellow, in his 
sailor suit and his jaunty 
cap. Perhaps if he had been 
left to himself, he would 
have gone on filling that 
basket, but suddenly he 
heard some one singing on 
the other side of the hedge,, 
and he thought he would 
like to see who was coming 
into the field ; so he ran up 
to the gate, and saw a dear 
'"CAN'T I HELP YOU?'" little girl standing near it. 

She wore a large poke-bonnet, out of which her little face peeped prettily. 
"Why, that is a little girl from the Kindergarten," said Horace to 
himself, as he put down the basket. " I should like to play with her." 
Then he remembered that he had often seen his father help his 
mother over stiles and gates ; and so he went straight up to the gate, 
held out his right hand, and said, all in a breath — 

" If you please, little girl, can't I help you over the stile ? I know 
who you are quite well. You live in that pretty white house," pointing 
just ahead, " and my mamma is coming to see your mamma some day» 
and my name is Horace, and if you please, what is your name ? " 




FUN FOR THE LITTLE FOLKS. 165 

The little girl in the poke-bonnet looked at the young gentleman, 
and after thinking a little, decided, I suppose, that she liked this polite 
little boy ; for she smiled graciously at him, and holding on to the gate 
with her right hand, placed her left hand 
in that of the stranger. 

"Thank you, little boy," she said. 
"1 think you must be rather a nice little 
child. My name is Aline, and I do go to 
the Kindergarten. Please tell me what 
you have in that basket ?" 

"Come and see," said Horace, as he 
helped her to scramble over the gate ; 
and when she had got safely over to the other side, he held the basket 
for her to take her choice of the blackberries. 

" I have eaten all the biggest," he said mournfully. "These are 
for the pie. If I had known that you were coming I should have kept 
the best for you. But I tell you what we will do — we will go and find 
some more. It is so jolly in the fields; and if we happen to pass any 
cows, you needn't be frightened, I can take care of you." 

Aline was delighted, and the two little children ran off together as 
happy as could be, full of fun and merriment. 




FUN FOR LITTLE PEOPLE. 

A PEEP AT ONE OF CHICAGO'S FREE KINDERGARTENS. 

Amusement without weariness, and instruction without labor^ 
How the wee tots are drilled — A system which is doing wonders for 
the children. 

"Good morning, Mr. Tree! How are all your branches and limbs? 
I hope you don't feel cold since all the little brown leaves blew away 
from you. Good morning, little brown leavesl What fun you have 
romping about since you left old Mr. Tree! Good morning, Mr. Dog! 



166 



FUN FOR THE LITTLE FOLKS. 



How is Mrs. Dog, and all the baby doggies? No, 1 have no candy for 
you, Mr. Dog— you ate up all the last candy 1 gave you, and never took 

a bit home to Mrs. Dog or the 









baby doggies, you greedy Mr. 
Dog! Good morning, Mr. — 
Ha, hal Ho, ho! Miss Pine! I 
see you. Miss Pinel Good 
morning, you old darling Miss 
Piney-Winey." 

"Good morning to you, 
little rogue!" said Miss Pine, 
stooping to kiss the laughing 
little tot that danced and ca- 
pered around her skirts. It 
still wanted five minutes of 
nine, and Miss Pine, the teacher 
of the free Kindergarten at St. 
Paul's Universalist Church, 
stopped in the doorway to 
greet the little pupils that were, as one wee three-year-old said, "' Tomin 
to tool," in ones, twos and threes, it made one feel good to see such a 
merry lot of little rascals, and hear some of their cheery greetings: 

"Good morning. Miss Pine! And good morning to the orange 
ribbon in your hat. Miss Pine; and to your woolly brown jacket and 
big buttons, and to your blue eyes, Miss Pine; and to^O dear! to 
all of you. Miss Pine!" 

" Ha, ha. Midgets!" says Miss Pine to a saddle-colored little cricket; 
"you didn't say good morning to Mr. Pigeon." 

Midgets scans the housetops and then claps her hands, shouting: 

"Good morning, Mr. Pigeon, with your new blue shawl" — 

"And your white bib and tucker" — says Miss Pine. 

"And your pretty yellow stockings" — says Midgets. 

A little while later, the visitor tip-toed into the schoolroom and 




FUN FOR THE LITTLE FOLKS. 



167 



found the little ones " at prayer." They were in three classes, and 
each class at a long table. There was an assistant teacher in charge of 
each class, and Miss Pine, the head teacher, sat at the piano. The 
prayers were recited without music, Miss Pine speaking the lines one 
by one, and the children repeating the words in concert. 

Miss Pine said " Amenl " and struck a note on the piano. All eyes 
became fixed on the teacher to see what was coming next. " Let's 
play farmer," suggested a little tow-head. " Let's play sailor," sug- 
gested another. At this instant the door was pushed open, and a self- 




possessed wee woman of about five came in and marched with dignity to 
the corner where the wraps were hung. 

"Let's play birdies," said the new comer calmly. 

"Now, I call that cheek," said a little colored boy with a big fore- 
head, glancing indis:nantly at the new comer. 

"So do I," said Miss Pine gravely. 

There v/ere about fifty pupils present, and at least half of them 
were colored. Their ages range from three to seven, but almost all 
of them are under six, and the majority not over five. Kindergarten 
work, as everybody knows, is all play, but it is play with an object. 
There are no books, and no tasks, and no punishments, and no anything 
that makes a child weary and cross. There is lively play, with just 
enough discipline to maintain order, and just enough variety to make 



168 



FUN FOR THE LITTLE FOLKS. 




everything interesting, without being tiresome. The whole sum of 
Kindergarten teaching seems to be: It makes the children bright. 

Miss Pine struck another note on the piano, and every child put 
its hands behind its back, and grasped its little chair. " Now, then— 
ve-ry qui-et-ly," said Miss Pine, and every child 
pulled back its chair, and got on its feet, and pushed 
the chair back into place under the table. It must 
be confessed that the operation of fifty little people 
getting out of their chairs was not "very quiet" by 
any means. One of the assistant teachers then took 
^-^ Miss Pine's place at the piano and began playing a 
lively march. All the little pupils formed in line and started on a grand 
march over a mysterious route marked out by painted lines on the floor. 
Finally Miss Pine stopped in the center of the floor, with all the little 
ones in a semicircle before her. 

" 1 wonder how many little boys and little girls know their right 
hands to-day," she began, addressing a fly on the ceiling. A lot of lit- 
tle hands were instantly thrust out, but a good many of them were 
lefts. Some of the shrewder ones, bent on avoiding mistakes, had 
thrust out both hands. 

" O, dear! O, dear! " said Miss Pine to the fly on the ceiling, " I'm 
afraid there's somebody here who puts out his left hand when he knows 
I want to see his right." 

Then nearly every child in the row pulled in the hand it had out 
and stuck out the one it had in. Miss Pine made another complaint to 
the fly, and then covered her eyes with her fingers. While thus blind- 
folded, the two assistants got all the left hands in and the right hands 
out, and then Miss Pine opened her eyes and clapped her hands, and 
said: "Why, that's as good as could be! " Then she began to sing a 
"hands' " song, about "I gave my hands a very good shake," waving 
her right hand up and down in time to the music. All the pupils imi- 
tated her until the fun grew quite boisterous. 

Before they were tired the exercise was changed. They sat round 



FUN FOR THE LITTLE FOLKS. 169 

the tables as before. "Bible cards ''were distributed. These were 
pieces of white pasteboard, with a penciled outline of a man sowing 
seed, the man being supposed to be the sower of the parable who 
"went forth to sow." Each pupil was given a blunt needle and a 
piece of colored thread, and pretty soon the whole lot were industri- 
ously sowing. Any child that didn't like to work, sat and listened if 
so pleased, but all seemed anxious to be active, as healthy children 
always are. All the games and exercises are supposed to have some 
object or meaning, that tends to the child's mental, moral, or physical 
growth, but never obtrudes itself in view. The marching exercise, 
which at least teaches the children how to walk erect, with a free and 
graceful carriage, is one in which the little ones take an especial de- 
light — even big people love to march to lively music. 

This school was started only about six weeks ago, and is the fif- 
teenth Kindergarten in the city, connected with the Free Kindergarten 
Association. This association has now an aggregate roll of over 2,000 
children. It has also a normal and training class, where teachers are 
trained for the work. 



1 70 ALPHABET GAMES. 

ALPHABET GAME. 

(Twenty-six very little ones stand in a row, each holding in his right hand a card-board letter large 
enough to be plainly seen in all parts of the room.) 

(All sing to the tune " Yankee Doodle.") 

We are very little things, 

Standing in our places ; 
And now we raise our names high up 

Above our little faces. 
Don't you wish that you could learn 

All these pretty letters ? 
Don't you wish that you could turn 

To little Alphabeters ? 

Come over, 1,— [I comes] — your face we miss; 
Come let us make k-i-ss, kiss. (They all kiss.) 

Come E, join us two little specks, 
And help us spell v-e-x, vex. 

Come U and 1, your place here is 
To show the people how to quiz. 
(They all stand in line, holding the letters up to 
their eyes like opera glasses.) 

Come over, O, and with us stop. 
And pretty soon we'll have a hop. 
(They join and hop across the stage.) 

Come A, run over where I am, 
And help me make a dish of jam. 
(They clasp arms closely.) 

Fm all alone, dear brother ; 
Come over here and make me go. 



NEIV YEAR'S COMING. 171 

So now we've tried to show to you 
What little things Hke us can do. 
And if you come again some day, 
We'll try some longer words to say. 
And now we little Alphabeters 
Will sing you all our pretty letters. 

"A, B, C, D, E, F, G, 
H, 1, J, K, L, M, N, 0, P, 
Q, R, S, and T, U, V, 
W, and X, Y, Z. 
Now you've heard my a, b, c, 
Tell me what you think of me." 
(Sing in the familiar tune of "Alphabet Song.') 



13 



NEW YEAR'S COMING. 
Tune—" Webb." 

O boys 1 the New Year's coming, 

The time when folks begin 
To make a cleaner record 

By leaving off each sin. 
We'd better all get ready. 

And make a brand-new start 
To drive out every error 

And blemish from each heart. 

Let's save our spending money 

For books and useful things, 
Nor waste it in such foolish trash 

As balls, and toys, and rings. 
Economy is learned in youth ; 

The thoughts we have to-day 
Take root and strengthen with our strength, 

And follow all the way. 



172 



SCHOOL DAYS. 



SCHOOL DAYS. 



BETTER. 



Better to weave in the web of life 

A bright and deHcate filling, 
And to do God's will with a ready heart, 

And hands that are swift and willing, 
Than to snap the minute, delicate threads 

Of our curious lives asunder. 
And then blame Heaven for the tangled ends. 

And sit and grieve and wonder. 



SCHOOL DAYS. 



17? 




Punctuality is the foundation of confidence, and confidence the 
soul of credit." 



NOTE.— This motto was found in the private reference book of the late L. P. Miller 



174 GOOD BUSINESS HABITS. 

GOOD BUSINESS HABITS. 

1. Be strict in keeping engagements. 

2. Do nothing carelessly, or in a hurry. 

3. Employ nobody to do what you can easily do yourself. 

4. Leave nothing undone that ought to be done, and which cir- 
cumstances permit. 

5. Keep your designs and business from others, yet be candid 
with all. 

6. Be prompt and decisive with customers, and do not over-trade. 

7. Prefer short credit to long, cash to credit, either in buying or 
selling, and small profits with little risk, to the chance of better gains 
with more hazards. 

8. Be clear and explicit in bargains. 

9. Leave nothing of consequence to memory which can be com- 
mitted to writing. 

10. Keep copies of all important letters, etc. 

11. Never suffer your desk to be confused by papers lying upon it. 

12. Keep everything in its proper place. 

13. In business hours, attend only to business matters. 

14. Confine social calls to the social circle. 

1^. State your business in few words, without loss of time. 

16. A mean act soon recoils, and a man of honor will be esteemed. 

17. Treat all with respect, confide in few, wrong no man. 

18. Never be afraid to say No, and always be prompt to acknowl- 
edge and rectify a wrong. 

19. Leave nothing for to-morrow that should be done to-day. 

20. Because a friend is polite, do not think his time is valueless. 

21. Have a place for everything, and everything in its place. 

22. To preserve long friendship, keep a short credit. 

23. The way to get credit is to be punctual. * 

24. Settle often; have short accounts. 

25. Trust no man's appearance; it is often deceptive. 

26. Rogues generally dress well. 



KINDERGARTEN SONGS AND GAMES. 



175 



KINDERGARTEN 




THE FOUR CHILDREN. 



SONGS AND GAMES. 



176 



KINDERGARTEN SONGS AND GAMES. 




DO YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY ? 



177 



Words from " Little Folks." 
Gaily, mf, Sd time p. 



3Imic l)y Dr. Eentj.ey. 



s^^i?i!^l^il^pi=^2i^^^ 



1. Do you waut to be hap-py aud gay, lit - tie man, Do you waut tj be hap-py and 

2. Do you waut to be raer-ry and glad, lit - tie maid. Do you -want to i mer-ry and 

3. Do you want to be health-y and wise, lit -tie folk. Do you want to jie bealth-y' and 




w/, 2d time p. 



E^^^^ 



jPi H^ ^ pgElElEES;^!^ ^^;^ 



gay? Then do a kind deed ev - 'ry day, lit -tie man, Then do a kind deed ev- 'ry 

glad ? Then speak a briglit word to the sad, lit-tle maid, Then speak a bright word to the 

wise? Then ear - ly to bed aud to rise, lit- tie folk, Yes. ear - ly to bed and to 



S 



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cres. ^ 



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fcr*— azi*: 



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^-- 



'^^m 



:z1: 



f rail. 



5=2^ 



^eeeE 



day!, 
sad!., 
rise!. 



Do a kind deed. 

Speak a bright word.. 

Ear - ly to bed . . 



*.^feaii^iifeg^3^ 



ev - 'ry dayl 

to the sad ! 

aud to rise 






^g 



3^gE3E^^;^a 



/ rail. 












178 FINGER EXERCISE. 



3E 



'!• I T -4- '• 

This is, this is, tliis is? — This is j-our little loniid thumb, dear, It's just like a lit-tle ripe 



pIPPiP^ii^i^ig^^ ip^-EEEg 



p'.um, dear. Aud this, and this, and this? First fiu - ger points and stands ui)-right, Tho' 



ril 



-^ — s — ^« 1 '■ — ■• — 



^ i 1 J — fa-^ — a — 9\-} 






it can bow and be ijo - lite. And this, aud this, and this? This fiu - ger's tall - est 






on j'our hand, Though it but in the mid-die stand; Aud this, and this, and this? Eing 



fiu - ger lit - tie Rings cau hold; It should be clean and bright as gold. Aud this, and this, and 



■^=^2^^ 



t 



this? This lit - tie fin-ger's least of all, It ends their row, both great aud small; It's 



mmi^mss,^mm^^f^mm 



true. Oh! yes! it's true; For me, as well as you. How - ev - er difi-' rent may 



liEi 



'-0 ^_- -Jl- --# -J^^lri L *' J ^ 



-^ i^« ^- 



>- 



F=^ 






*- r ' " u 

be, The fiu - gers' gifts, you see, They all live and a - gree. To- 



^= 



U • • 

geth - er aud yet free. 



-? -* 



^?'" 



'• i '• L^ ^ 

How - ev - er dilf-'reut may be, The 



l^^^l^p^Si^^ip^^ 



fin p-ers' gifts, you see, They all live and a -gree To - geth-er and yet free. 



DROWSY HEAD. 



179 



Cantahilc. 



^ig=3^ 



1. A drow - sy lit - tie boy, I kuow, Who, wlieu 'tis time to bed 

2. A drow - sy lit - tie boy, I kuow, Who, when 'tis time a-broad 



to go, Cries, 
to go, Cries, 



pi 



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F=^'? 



m 



^5 



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fe 



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50 



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^i-=i^==P^ 



§ ^^pf ^ 



"oh, there must be some mis - t:ike. For oh! I feel so wide 
"what bad time the clock must keep, For oh! I feel so sound 



I 



a - wake." 
a - sleep." 



rrit 



P«^ F: 



^— 



t. 



-^-=f^ 



-P-i- 



Chorus. 



-^ ^ ^ —5 L-^ __^ ^_ \-^ ^ ^ _^^ l_g ^ W 



Oh! the naught - y sun and moon! Now too late aud now 

I ^ I J I 



too soon ! 



Pi^^gEEf 



^P=F 



--J: 



i:^ 



-^ 



3= 



=3= 



^^: 



^^ 



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Late to bed and late to rouse, That's the way with Drow 

I 



sy-Drowse ! 



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3; 






S 



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3? 



3==3= 



DING, DONG, BELL. 



Ej^LJjEb E3EgE^a^=3^3^^ 



1. Dinsj;, dong, bell, ding, dong, bell, The old year will soon be gone. For a new one's coming on; 

2. Ding, dong, bell, ding.doug. bell, Tell us year l>e - fore you go, Why at last you hnr- ry so; 

3. Ding, dong, bell, ding.dong, bell, Why can't years come back again,Just the same as they have been? 

4. Ding, dong, bell, ding,dong,bell, Big folks say they uev-er do. But I'd like it, wouldn't you? 



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Ding, dong, bell, Ding, dong, bell. Ring the New Year's bells. Ring the New Year's bells. 

Ding, dong, bell. Ding, dong, bell. Ring the New Year's bells, Ring the New Year's bells. 

Ding, dong, bell. Ding, dong, bell, Ring the New Year's bells, Ring the New Year's bells. 

Ding, dong, bell. Ding, dong, bell, Ring the New Year's bells, Ring the New Year's bells. 



i8o 



MOTION SONG WITH THE HANDS. 




Form a ring, form a ring so sweet - ly, Form a ring as quick as can be; 



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Form a ring, form a ring so sweet - ly, And stand quite still, like me, like me. 
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litis melody is also used for the play, when the children, who have formed a ring, sing . 



1. Roll the hands, roll the hands so slowly, 

Roll the hands as slow as can be; 
Roll the hands, roll the hands so slowly, 
And stand quite still, like me, like me. 

2. Roll tlie hands, roll the hands so quickly, 

Roll the hands as quick as can be; 
Roll the hands, roll the hands so quickly, 
Ajid stand quite still, like me, like me. 



3. Go to sleep, go to sleep so quickly, 

Go to sleep as quick as can be ; 
Go to sleep, go to sleep so quickly, 
And shut your eyes, like me, like me. 

4. Now wake up, now wake up so quickly, 

Now wake up as quick as can be ; 
Now wake up, now wake up so quickly, 
And look all around, like me, like me. 



ONE, TWO, THREE. 



Words by L. P. Allegro. 



Music by H. B. F. 



One, two, three, full of glee, Stamp your feet right mer-ri - ly ; One, two, three, clap with glee, 



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Clap your hands so cheer - 1 - Jy. 



Two by two are now ad-vanc-ing. Two by two in 
La la la la la la la la. La la la la 




turn are danc-ing, Mu - sic ring - ing, chil-dren sing-ing. All so glad and free, 
la la la la. La la la la la la la la, La la la la la. 



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Children stand in two rows facing each other, they stamp three times with tJoe word " merrily,''^ then 
clap their hands three times at the word " cheerily.^' The children at the head of the lines go towards 
each other, bow, and dance up and down the line until the end of the song, then bow at the foot of the 
line, tvhere they take their places opposite each other. When each has had their turn, the first couple 
leading, all the children with their partners dance around to the same tune, first in one direction, then in 
the opposite direction, in a ring, and the play is finished. 



Briskly. 



A SONG OF SCHOOLGIRLS. 

[May be sung as a solo or in three parts.] 
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Isl & last T. Stthool is o - ver for the day, Les - sons all are put a - way ! We have studied well, ygtu 

2. We could tell of quar-rels sought, E - vil done in act and tho't, Bat-ties for the right be- 

3. Ours a song of teu -der hearts, Tak-iug ev-er oth-ers' parts; Lack of self and love of 



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see, So we now may mer - ry be! Good folk all, a-round us throng, Deign to 
gun. Bat -ties lost in - stead of won; But to - night we rath - er sing Of the 
right. Put -ting mal-ice out of sight! Dark the mind and strange the will That would 



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list -en to our song! Good folk all. good folk all, Deign to list - en to our song! 

good in ev - 'ry- thing! Good folk all, good folk all, Deign to list-en while we sing! 

rath- er brood o'er ill!" Good folk all, good folk all. Deign to list- en to us still! 



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THIS IS THE WAY THE SNOW COMES DOWN. 

[Whenever the words of the 1st, id aud 5th lines come, the children move their hands and arms in harmony 

with the words.] 



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1. This is the way the snow comes down, Softly, softly fall - iug; So he sendeth the snow like wool, 



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Fair, aud white, and beautiful, This is the way the snow comes down. Softly, soft-ly fall - ing. 



2. This is the way the rain comes down, 
Swiftly, swiftly falling; 

So He sendeth the welcome rain, 
O'er Held, and hill, and plain. 
This is the way, etc. 

3. This is the way the frost comes down. 
Widely, widely falling; 

So it spreadeth all through the night. 
Shining cold, and pure, aud white. 
This is the way, etc. 



This is the way the hail comes down. 

Loudly, loudly falling; 

So it tiieth beneath the cloud. 

Swift, and strong, and wild, and loud. 

This is the way, etc. 

Wonderful, Lord, are all Thy works. 
Wheresoever falling; 
All their various voices raise. 
Speaking forth their Maker's praise. 
Wonderful, Lord, etc. 



l82 



MOWING GRASS. 




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Pe - ter, go the meadows o - ver,Mow,and homeward bring the clo -ver; By it our good 



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cow is liv - ing, Milk and but - ter so she's giv - ing, Milk tJie cow at once, please, Jenny ; 



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Briug the milk home,Doa't spill any, Cows must give us milk for making Those nice rolls the Baker's baking. 



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strong - er grows my Ba - by ten - der By the ser - vice peo - pie reu - der, 



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MOWING GRASS— Concluded. 



183 



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Strong -er grows my Ba - hy ten - der By the ser-^ice peo - pie ren - der. 



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your good mo w-ing; To our cow for milk are ow - ing;Thaoks for milking to our Jen -uy, 



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Bak-er baked us rolls, how many? Mother's made your porridge, dear,Nobody's for-got-ten here. 






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WISHING TO BE A SAILOR. 



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would be a sail -or free, Rov - ing on the roll - iug sea; Hear theflapp-ing 
would be a sail - or brave, With my good ship plough the wave; Hear the mu - sic 

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Hear tlie roar - iug of the gale. 
Vi'hen its bil - lows sing for glee. 



On the sea, • the deep blue sea, 
On the sea, the deep blue s«a, 



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Glad - ly, glad - ly would I be, Sparkling sea, breez - y sea, 'Tis the place for me. 



WHOA, WHOA, WHOA! 




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1. Whoa my pret- ty dap - pie po - ny While I sing my lit -tie song; You may rest a- 

2. We have trot-ted quite a jour-ney Lit - tie po - ny, up and down. O'er the hills, and 

3. You are rest - ed now, my po - ny. And the sun is go -ing down; Do your best, my 



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while, my po - ny, For you've trotted all daylong. Tra la la la la la la la la, 

through the valleys All the way from Boston town. Tra la la la la la la la la, 

lit - tie po - ny Off a - gain to Boston town. Tra la la la la la la la la, 



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Tra la la la la la la la la, Tra la la la la la la la la, whoa, whoa, whoa. 
Tra la la la la la la la la, Tra la la la la la Li la la, whoa, whoa. whoa. 
Tra la la la la la la la la, Tra la la la la la la la la, g'long, g'long, g'long. 



THE CLOCK. 




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1. See the neat lit- tie clock, in the cea - tre it stands, And points out the hour with its 

6 2 

2. The pen - du-lum swings in - side a long case. And sends its two hands round its 



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two piet-ty hands, The one shows the min - ute the oih - er the hour, As 

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neat pret-tv face, Un - less it should go too slow or too quick: It 

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From " Calistheiiic Song Book," Published by Iviaon, Blackmail & Co., N. Y. 



THE CLOCK— Concluded. 



185 




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oft - eu you've seeu iu the high church tower As oft - en you've seen in the high church tower. 

7776 77. 7 

swings to and fro, with a tick, tick, tick, It swings to and fro with a tick, tick, tick. 

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3. There's a nice little bell, which a hammer does knock, 

And when we hear that we can tell what's o'clock; 

We like nine and one, for then it is the rule, 
n 10 

To ring the little bell for us to march into school. 

u 12 12 12 12 

4. Hark, hark, how it strikes! there is one, two, three, four, 

12 12 12 12 11 

Five, six, seven, eight! will it strike any more? 

Yes, yes, if you listen you'll hear, when it's done 

12 12 12 12 12 

Nine, ten, eleven, twelve; the next will be one. 

13 6 

5. But the wheels would not go, nor the pendulum swing, 

8 9 

Nor the hammer clap, clap, nor the little bell ring, 

14 

Nor the two heavy weights go up and down; 
Unless there be motion there cannot be sound. 

15 16 

6. Go must I, like the clock ; my face happy and bright; 

17 
My hands, when they're moving, must always do right. 

My tongue should be guarded to say what is true. 

18 19 

Wherever I go and whatever I do. 



1. Point with the index finger of the right hand 
toward the clock — eyes directed to the same place. 

2. Both hands revolve iu front and from the 
chest, but not around each other. 

3. Right hand with a slight gesture, brought to 
a horizontal position — palm toward the left, and 
retains the position during the next exercise. 

4. Left hand, with a slight gesture, brought to 
a horizontal position — Y)a.\ni toward the right. 

5. Hands united so as to represent a spire of a 
church — thumbs vertical — ends of the forefingers 
meet — other three fingers united so that the ends 
of the fingers are inside of the hands, and raise the 
hands quickly above the head — arms fully ex- 
tended. 

6. Swing the hands and arms from right to left 
and left to right. 

7. Cease to sing and snap the fingers, for the 
words '"tick." 

8. Right hand closed and keep time on the desk. 

9. Bring the ends of the fingers of the right hand 
against the end of the thumb and move the hand 
slightly and quickly from right to left and left to 
right as if ringing a bell. 

10. Keep time with first the right foot then the 
left. 



11. Right hand raised in the attitude of listen- 
ing. 

12. Left hand horizontally in front of the chest 
— palm upward — right hand raised and brought 
down on the left with a clap. 

13. Hands revolve aronnd each other in front 
of and from the chest. 

14. Hands closed to represent the weights of a 
clock — raised vertically at the side. This exer- 
cise may be perfected Ijy observing the weights 
of a clock, how they move downward a trifle and 
then seem to jar back nearly to the former posi- 
tion, but at the close of the day the weights are 
found at the lower part of the case, so it should be 
with this exercise, and when the last word is sung 
the hands should be nearly horizontal with the 
elbows. 

15. A slight bow and curved gesture. 

16. Touch the face with the fingers of both 
hands. 

17. Hands raised, and turn backward and for- 
ward. 

18. With a slight bow and curved gesture wave 
the right hand. 

19. With a slight bow and curved gesture wave 
the left hand. 



186 



THE CHARCOAL BURNER'S HUT. 






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)lds two men and that is all. Yet 

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The char - coal burn - er's hut is small, It holds two men and that is all. Yet 

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there, oh! so hap -pi - ly they can dwell, The Fa - ther and both his sous as well. They 



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fetch all the wood.To charcoal they burn it,Aud iu-totlie bkcksinith's great wagon they turn it.Thiuk! 






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THE CHARCOAL BURNER'S HUT— Concluded. 



187 






good charcoal Inirnerwithsoot on hischeek,Did not burn us wood carefully weekafter week, If the 



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gtx)d charcoal burner with soot on his cheek. Did not bnr;i us wood carefully week after week. Come, 

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Ba-bv. and let us tnen give him our greeting! Without sp )ons tlie soup would be useless for eating. Tho' 



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soot-y his face, you oft -en will find, His heart's al-ways warm and his mau-ner is kind. 






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TICK TACK. 



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On-ly see! Ou-ly see! Like a Pen-du-lum go we, For our arms go to and fro, 






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Not too fast, and uot too slow. For their stroke goes there and back, Always tick and always tack. 












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there and hack: Al-wavs Tick and al-ways Tack, Tick, Tack, Tack. 



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SONG OF WELCOME. 



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1. Now u - nite our hearts and voic - es. In a song of joy and praise; 

2. Now to God our heav-"uly Fa - ther. Words of grate -ful love we say; 



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Each one gathered here re-joic - es. And a wel-come note we raise. Wei come, wel-come, 
He has brought us all to - geth - er, On this hap - py Christmas Day. Wei -come, wel-come. 



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Singing welcome, welcome here; Wel-come, wel - come, Singing welcome, welcome here. 

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^< //*e wort? ^'Welcome," all the children go down simultaneotisly to make the motion of welcome. If 
it is used at any other time, another word may he substituted for ''Christmas.'^ 



193 



THE YARD GATE. 




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What can this be? 



A Gate, I see! 



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lead - ing me. 



The young colts are prancing. Hop, Hop, Hi, Hi, The 



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ducks are all quacking, Just hear the bens cluck - ing. And bear the cock crow, cock, 

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doo-dle doo, cock, cock a -doo-dle doo!. 



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The bees are all bum - ming. summ, summ, summ, summ. And 



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hear the cow low moo — 



moo — The Calf there is leap - ing, The 



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Lamb there is baa -iug. The sheep yon -der bleats; The pig grunts and eats. We'll 



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close' our Farm - yard for to - day. 



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one will run a - way, But each in its right place will stay. 



THE FLOWER BASKET. 



191 









Miike a bas-ket, AveU be-giu it, Pret - ty things we'll put witli-in it; Flow'rs we'll carry, 



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flow'rs we're bringing;They're for you, and hear US siuging; La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, 



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Dear lit- tie flow'rs! La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, Fa- ther' snow, not ours. 

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192 



With mock gravity. 



THREE LITTLE RATS. 



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1. Oh, three little rats took off their hats. And sat them down to read; Three bigger rats came and 

2. Soon these little rats look'd round for their hats (They'd read their papers thro'), Then these little rats, they 

3. Well, these little rats, without their bats, Had toothache ver-y sore! And as these rats never 



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stole those hats — A very great shame, in - deed! A very great shame, indeed! Oh, 

miss'd their hats— They were just as good as new — They were just as good as new — "Oh, 
found their hats. They had to buy some more. They had to buy some more. But 




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no one knew, and yet 'tis true, A - bout those rats' three hats; You poor lit-tlerats,Avith 
dear!" they cried, standing side by side, "Will nobody find our hats?" Oh, poor lit-tle rats, with- 
from that day, so I've heard say, They never took olf their hats; And these lit-tle rats, never 



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no nice hats! Full soon you'll know your need, 
out your hats. The loss you'll sure - ly rue, 
lost their hats. As they did once be - fore. 



Full soon you' 11 know your need. 
The loss you'll sure -ly rue. 
As they did once be - fore. 






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A BIRTHDAY SONG. 



193- 



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Wordnand Music hy T. H. BertenSHAW, B. A.. B. Mus. 

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Allegretto. (^S=144.) 



1. Once there lived a lit - tie maid - en, 

2. First the sun took up the no - tiou, 

3. Long - est day must have its end - iug, 







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Fair was she and full ofgrace; Ev'iy day with pleasure la den, Hap-py moments fled a pace. 

And the brightest day he made;Thentlie trees, with graceful motion, Wav'd their branches in the shade. 

Tho' a birthday it maybe; Now the sunny light is s]iendinir — Farewell bird. and flow'r.and tree! 










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When her birth-day - morn was breaking, All the earth rejoiced to see; Andher hirth-daj' set tomaking, 
All the birdsdid carol ditties, And the flowretsheard the strain; Joyful songfor birthday fit is, 
But the l it - tie m aiden's pleasure Not so quickly pass'd a - way ; Long with -in her h eart a treasure 



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y ro?? atempo. ^-^ D. C. 



Sun, and flow' r, and bird, and tree. Such a birthday ne'er was seen. Such be-fore had never been! 

So all join'd the glad refrain. Such a birthday ne'er was seen, Such be- fore had never been! 

Lived the mem'ry of that day. May such pleasure long re - maiiL.! May such birthday come again ! 



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194 



SALOONS MUST GO. 



Frances E. Willard. 



Chas. T. Kimball. 



Composed especially and sunc; at the dedicatoi-y services of the National Woman's Temperance Union, while 
"laying the corner stone of their great Temple, Chicago, January, etc. 

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1. List to the tread of ' ma - ny feet, From home and play-grou ml, farm and street ;They 

2. For G<,d they lift their flag of white, His name is ou their banners bright; His 

3. i^orir>we's sweet sake they move in line With moth-er - love their fac - es shine; Their 

4. For Na - five Land their drnnis they beat; Quick time they keep with marching feet; A- 

5. Thy kingdom come, O Sav - ior great. In hearts and homes, in church and state; But 




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like tongues, their words we know: "Sa-lnons, sa- loons, sa 

of pu - ri - ty dotli show, "Sa- loons, sa- loons, sa 

al hearts will have it so, "Sa- loons, sa- loons, sa 

i - ca, for tliee they know, "Sa- loons, sa- loons, sa 

it comes, full well we know, "Sa- loons, sa- loons, sa 



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loons must 

loons must 

loons must 

loons must 

loons must 

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Chorus. Must go! 



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Note.— In the Chorus let the boys and girls mark time gently to the words," Saloons, ealoons, saloons must go I 



MOTHER, KIND AND DEAR. 



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See Moth - er, al-ways so kind and dear, See Fa - ther, brave and nier - ry here; 

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here is the Ba - by, still lit - tie and fair, We'A'e seen sucha nice, hap-py Fam-i-ly there. 



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THE NAUGHTY LITTLE MOUSE. 

Words and Music by B. Mansell Ramsey 



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1. In a pret - ty lit - tie house Lived a naught -y lit - tie mouse, Who 

2. But one day there came a cat, That was ver - y sleek and fat; And when 



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used to .<teal the but -ter and the cheese; And of oth - er things so nice This 
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mouse would take a slice, With - out so much as say-ing,'*If you please, if yon please." 
eaught him with her claws, And the naught-y lit - tie mouse could steal no more, no more. 



196 



HOLIDAY. 



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1. We are com - ing, We are com- ing, With our songs in joy-ous meas - ure, With a 

2. We are com - ing, We are com- ing, With a hap - py song of wel- come, With our 






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greet-ing Full of glad-ness, For our friends as-sem-hled here. There is joy in meet-ing 

hearts as Full of gladness, As our lips are full of praise. For the past we all are 






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loved ones, In the tern - pie here be - low, But a great - er joy a - waits us, In the 

grate-ful. And the fu - ture bright ap-pears. Still a bet - ter life a - waits us, Far be- 

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land to which we go. We are com -ing, We are com -ing, With our songs in joy-ous 

yond these fleeting years. We are com - ing. We are com - ing, &c. 



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meas- ure, With a greet-ing Full of glad - ness. For our friends as - sera-bled here. 

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IVHAT IVILLIE SAID. 



197 



WHAT WILLIE SAID. 

Hear what a little child would say, 
Who comes to school each pleasant day, 

And tries to learn his lessons well, 
A good report at home to tell. 

I love the school, and teacher dear, 
And all the scholars gathered here ; 




To each I say in simple rhyme, 
Be careful, do not waste your time. 

For moments spent in life's young day, 
In useless or in thoughtless play. 

Will cast a shade o'er future years, - 
And cause you many sighs and tears. 



198 



TROTTY AND DOTTY. 



TROTTY AND DOTTY. 

A STORY IN SIMPLE WORDS. 

Trotty and Dotty were two little boys. They were very fond of 
singing, and nothing gave them more pleasure than getting some of 
their mamma's music-books, and singing as they stood on the great 
soft hearth-rug. 

To be sure they did not sing the words that were in the book, for 
Trotty and Dotty could not read, but they sang words that they knew, 
and made up the tune as they went along. So that it was not much of 




a tune ; but that did not matter to Trotty and Dotty, as long as they 
shouted and made as much noise as they could. This is one of the 
songs they used to sing over and over again: 



There was once a robin, 
And he sat upon a tree ; 

He sang song after song 
As merry as could be : 

And he said, " Have not I 
A fine scarlet vest ? 

That's why people call me 



A cat came so softly 

When she heard him sing; 
And when she got up near him 

She made a sudden spring; 
But the robin he saw her. 

And quickly flew away. 
Or else he'd have sung there 

The whole of the day. 



A robin redbreast." 

"Hurrah, is not that fine singing ?" 

They had sung the song five times, and were going to sing it again, 
for they liked it so much. But if they liked it, their little dog Nip 
did not, and when the brothers began the song for the sixth time, he 
lifted up his head and gave a dismal howl. 

"Be quiet, Nip," said Trotty; but Nip took no notice of what was said. 



A NEIV TIME-TABLE. 



199 



A NEW TIME-TABLE. 




Sixty seconds make a minute: 
How much good can I do in it? 
Sixty minutes make an hour, — 
All the good that's in my power. 
Twenty hours and four, a day, — 
Time for work, and sleep, and play. 
Days, three hundred sixty-five 
Make a year for me to strive 
Right good things for me to do, 
That I wise may grow, and true. 



CHILDREN OF THE WEEK. 

The child that is born on the Sabbath day 
Is blithe and bonny, and good and gay; 
Monday's child is fair of face; 
Tuesday's child is full of grace; 
Wednesday's child is merry and glad; 
Thursday's child is sour and sad; 
Friday's child is loving and giving; 
And Saturday's child must work for its living. 



THE MONTHS. 

Thirty days hath September, 
April, June and November; 
February hath twenty-eight alone. 
All the rest have thirty-one. 
Excepting Leap year, that's the time 
When February's days are twenty-nine. 



200 D/IYS OF THE WEEK. 

DAYS OF THE WEEK. 

Seven bright jewels our Father above 

Hath given His children, in mercy and love: 

Beautiful jewels set in gold 

For the rich and the poor, the young and the old. 

But one He asks may to Him be given, 

That each may have some treasure in Heaven. 

These jewels are days, and we are blest 

With hours for labor, and hours for rest. 

Let us work with all zeal, be fervent in spirit, 

That we may the kingdom of Heaven inherit. 



FACTS FOR LITTLE FOLKS. 

Tea is prepared from the leaf of a tree; 
Honey is gathered and made by the bee. 
Butter is made from the milk of the cow; 
Pork is the flesh of the pig or the sow. 
Oil is obtained from fish and from flax; 
Candles are made of tallow and wax. 
Worsted is made from wool, soft and warm: 
Silk is preoared and spun by a worm. 



SCHOOL TIME. 

Now Jenny, and Mollie, and Robert, and John, 

Attend to your letters, I pray ; 
For if with your reading you do not get on, 

You'll never be ready for play. 

Attention to lessons brings laughter at play, 
Glad faces, with merriment bright, 



- A GENTLE MAN. 201 

Good temper, and hearts full of sunshine by day, 
And sweet, peaceful slumbers at night. 

Then on with your letters, a, e, i, o, u— 

The dullest can honestly try ; 
And who would not work with the prospect in view 

Of reading bright books by-and-by ? 

M. H. F. DONNE. 



A GENTLE MAN. 

" Be very gentle with her, my son," said Mrs. B— , as she tied on 
her little girl's bonnet, and sent her out to play with her elder brother. 

They had not been out long before a cry was heard, and presently 
Julius came, and threw down his hat, saying: 

" I hate playing with girls ! There's no fun with them; they cry 

in a minute." 

" What have you been doing to your sister ? I see her lying there 
on the gravel walk ; you have torn her frock, and pushed her down. I 
am afraid you forgot my caution to be gentle." 

" Gentle ! Boys can't be gentle, mother; it's their nature to be 
rough and strong. They are the stuflf soldiers and sailors are made of. 
It's very well to talk of a gentle girl; but a gentle boy— it sounds 
ridiculous !" 

" And yet, Julius, a few years hence, you would be angry if any 
one were to say you were not a gentle man." 

"A gentle man ! I had never thought of dividing the word that 
way before. Being gentle seems to me like being weak and soft." 

"This is so far from being the case, my son, that you will always 
fmd the bravest men are the most gentle. The spirit of chivalry that 
you so much admire, is a spirit of the noblest courage and the utmost 
gentleness combined. Still, I dare say, you would rather be called a 
manly than a gentle boy." 

"Yes, indeed, mother." 



202 



THE DUNCE'S BENCH. 



'* Well, then, my son, it is my greatest wish that you should en- 
deavor to unite the two. Show yourself manly when you are exposed 
to danger, or see others in peril ; be manly when called on to speak 
the truth, though the speaking of it may bring reproach upon you ; 
be manly when you are in sickness or pain. At the same time be gentle, 
whether you are with women or men. By putting the two spirits to- 
gether, you will deserve a name which, perhaps, you will not dislike." 

"I see what you mean, mother, and I will try to be what you wish 
— a gentlemanly boy." 

THE DUNCE'S BENCH. 

Again we see the dunce's row, 

The boys who never try to know ; 

Who application always shirk, 

And never set their wits at work. 

Yet George looks grave, his earnest face 

Seems fitted for a better place. 




Oh, boys ! be wise ; the precious hours 
Are going fast, like fading flowers ; 
Oh, seek to learn in early days. 
Walk carefully in wisdom's ways ; 
Fill up the moments as they fly, 
For soon will come eternity. 



TWENTY LITTLE SCHOOL-MATES. 



205 



TWENTY LITTLE SCHOOL-MATES. 

The roses had fallen, and the weather was cool, 

Twenty little lassies, returning from school, 

I thought were so pretty, and tidy, and neat. 

To my house I would ask them, just over the street. 

They played, and they danced, and they skipped, and they sang, 

And the porches and parlors with laughter they rang, 




And sweet as a picture the beautiful sight 
Of twenty little ladies so happy and bright. 
I called them my lambs, and the garden my fold; 
And precious as silver, as good as the gold, 
Were twenty little maidens, so tidy and neat. 
Whom I asked to my house just over the street; 
Though autumn be sad, and winter be wild, 
'Tis summer for all in the heart of the child. 



" All is not gold that glitters;" 

Yet think not, children mine, 
That all that glitters is not gold; 
The true must ring and shine. 



HOIV COLUMBUS FOUND AMERICA. 

HOW COLUMBUS FONUD AMERICA. 

Columbus stood upon the deck; 

"Go home!" the sailors cried; 
'Not if I perish on the wreck," 

Great Christopher replied. 

Next day the crew got out their knives 

And went for Captain C. 
"Go home!" they yelled, "and save our lives," 

" Wait one more day," said he. 

"Then if I cannot tell how far 

We're from the nearest land 
I'll take you home." "Agreed, we are!" 

Answered the sea-sick band. 

That night when all were fast asleep 

Columbus heaved the lead. 
And measuring the water deep. 

Took notes and went to bed. 

To-morrow dawned. Naught could be seen 

But water, wet and cold; 
Columbus, smiling and serene. 

Looked confident and bold. 

"Now, Cap! How far from land are we?" 

The mutineers out cried. 
"Just ninety fathoms," Captain C. 

Most truthfully replied. 

"If you doubt it, heave the lead 

And measure, same as I." 
"YouVe right,' the sailors laughed, "Great head I 

We'll stick to you or die." 



TRUST YOUR MOTHER. 20S 

And thus, in fourteen ninety-two, 

America was found, 
Because the great Columbus knew 

How far off was the ground. 

H. C. DODGE. 



TRUST YOUR MOTHER. 

Trust your mother, little one! 
In life's morning just begun. 
You will find some grief, some fears. 
Which perhaps may cause you tears; 
But a mother's kiss can heal 
Many griefs that children feel. 

Trust your mother, noble youth. 
Turn not from the path of truth; 
In temptation's evil hour. 
Seek her, ere it gains new power. 
She will never guide you wrong; 
Faith in her will make you strong. 

Trust your mother, maiden fair! 
Love will guide your steps with care, 
Let no cloud e'er come between- 
Let no shadow e'er be seen 
Hiding from your mother's heart 
What may prove a poisoned dart. 

Trust your mother to the end, 
She will prove your constant friend; 
If 'tis gladness wings the hour. 
Share with her the joyful shower; 
Or if sorrow should oppress. 
She, will smile and she will bless. 



sOi WHICH IS THE BEST? 

WHICH IS THE BEST? 

A DIALOGUE FOR FIVE LITTLE GIRLS. 

1st Girl— I'm a little country lassie, 

I can iron, churn and bake, 
Wash the dishes, feed the poultry, 

Mix a famous johnny-cake ; 
Ride the horses down to water, 

Drive the cows to pastures green — 
I would not exchange my station 

For the throne of England's queen. 

2d Girl— Mother calls me little student ; 

I can cipher, read and spell. 
Draw a map or bound a country. 

And in " mental " I excel. 
I shall climb the hill of knowledge. 

To its very top will go; 
Then success will crown my efforts. 

Teacher says— and ain't it so ? 

3d Girl— 1 am nothing but a noodle, 
Mother told me so to-day. 
But I really cannot study. 

When the very fields are gay. 
Birds are calling from the tree-tops— 

Spring is waking lake and rill ; 
You may mope o'er prosy lessons, 
I will be a noodle still. 

4th Girl— I'm a little city maiden, 

You would know this by my style, 
Quite unlike those country rustics. 
With their broad, uncourteous smile. 



THE CLERK OF THE [VEATHER. 207 

I'll not soil my hands with labor, 

Mine were made for higher things ; 
Papa calls me "little angel," "^ 

All I lack, he says, is wings. 

5th Girl— Pm my mother's little helper. 

And am happy all day long ; 
I can bring dear papa's slippers, 

Sing the baby's cradle song. 
Rock him till the angels' whispers 

Make him smile from dreamland shore ; 
Run a thousand ways for mother, 

Can a little girl do more ? 



THE CLERK OF THE WEATHER. 

Oh, please can you tell us the way 
To the Clerk of the Weather? They say 
He can stop all this rain, if he will, 
And drive off the mists from the hill. 
And make the sky sunny and blue. 
And let out the butterflies too. 
We're so tired of staying indoors. 
While all day long it pours and pours. 

Alas, but the journey was long. 
And folks kept directing us wrong; 
Our naughty shoes somehow would stray 
Wherever the worst puddles lay; 
So here we are back once again. 
All weary and cross, in the rain; 
For what little boys or girls, pray. 
Could be good on such a wet day? 



208 



THE CLERK OF THE WEATHER. 




ALL WEARY AND CROSS, IN THE RAIN. 



We'll peep in the schoolhouse — oh dear! 
Why, the Clerk of the Weather's been here, 
And breathed on the glass, 1 declare. 
And made it go up toward "fair." 
Come on — there's the sun smiling out, 
And a butterfly sailing about; 
Good Clerk of the Weather — he knew, 
All the time, without us, what to do! 




"COME ON! THERE'S THE SUN SMILING OUT.' 



l^ACATION SONG. 



209 



VACATION SONG. 

Come to the fields, little laddies, and lassies; 

Leav^ for awhile all the lessons and books, 
Dance on the grass with the frolicsome breezes, 

Swirig on the tree boughs, and play by the brooks. 

Drive home the cows from the hillsides and hollows. 
Where they are pasturing all the day thro'. 

Gather wild berries that redden and ripen. 
Feed on the sunshine, the rain and the dew. 



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14 



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MEADOW FLOWERS. 

Watch the brisk bees, roving hither and thither, 
Working and storing their harvest of sweets, 

Follow the steps of the fleet-footed squirrels, 
Hieing away to their woodland retreats. 

Pluck the gold buttercups, pluck the white daisies. 
Thick in the meadows as stars in the sky, 

Listen and hear the gay bobolinks carol, 
Hear the soft notes of the thrush in reply! 



210 THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE 

THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE. 

RY RUTH KINGDON. 

A crowdea church — a sheltered seat, 

A shield from the winter's cold, ' 

Two pair of tired, noiseless feet, 

Two homeless children bold : 
The music soft, the heads devout, 

The psalms and solemn prayer, 
Made chill and homelessness die out, 

For love divine was there. 

His text the pastor slowly read. 

And valiantly he preached ; 
But just one thought of all he said. 

The hearts of the newsboys reached ; 
"Of all the gems in all the earth 

This pearl is far the best ; 
'Twill feed, and clothe, and fill with mirth, 

Twill furnish perfect rest." 

The service closed — the boys stole out 

Awestruck and wonder wrapt ; 
This priceless gem they'd heard about 

All business handicapped. 
"Let's start and go the world around, 

And see what we can do ; 
We'll seek this gem until 'tis found, 

By either me or or you." 

They traveled many a country through 
'Mid hardships keen and toil ; 

Somet'mv-s the quest their hearts did rue, — 
Slight J - med the coveted spoil, 



A SONG OF THE SEASON. 211 

But on they'd toil with hopes renewed 

For many, many days ; 
And oft their fateful pathway stood 

In the gospel's holy ways. 

And when the way seemed rou^h and long, 

God's cheer gleamed through the gloom ; 
It changed their sadness into song, 

And set the way a-bloom. 
At last they found the treasure — 

Twas nearer than they thought ; 
For with surprise and wonder, 

Each found it in his heart ! 



A SONG OF THE SEASON. 

Bring out the rusty garden rake, 

Hunt up the hoe and spade, 
For spring is here, and it is time 

To have the garden made. 

Your wife will lean upon the fence, 
And watch you while you work. 

She's always prompt to give advice, 
She'll never let you shirk. 

Don't waste your time in trying to tell 
The bulbs from worthless weeds ; 

Dig them all up ; that's easiest, and 
You'll need the room for seeds. 

Work hard, man, you won't break your back, 

Though you may fear you may. 
Don't stop to lean upon your spade — 

Think what your wife will say. 



212 A BOY'S BELIEF. 

Then when you've got the garden dug, 
The seeds all out of sight, 

You'd better hire a gardener 
To do it over right. 



SOMERVILLE JOURNAL. 



A BOY'S BELIEF. 

It isn't much fun a livin', 

If grandpa says what's true — 
That this is the jolliest time o' life 

That I'm a-passing through. 
Tm 'fraid he can't remember — 

It's been so awful long ; 
I'm sure if he could recollect 

He'd know that he was wrong. 

Did he ever have, I wonder, 

A sister just like mine, 
Who'd take his skates, or break his kite, 

Or tangle up his twine ? 
Did he ever chop the kindling, 

Or fetch in coal and wood. 
Or oiTer to turn the wringer ? 

If he did, he was awful good 1 

How can grandpa remember 

A fellow's grief or joy ? 
'Twixt you and me, I don't believe 

He ever was a boy. 
Is this the jolliest time o' life ? 

Believe it I never can; 
Nor that it's as nice to be a boy 

As really a grown-up man. 



Harper's Young People. 



A NATION'S STRENGTH. 213 

A NATION'S STRENGTH. 

BY WILLIAM RALPH EMERSON. 

What builds a nation's pillars high, 

And its foundations strong ? 
What makes it mighty to defy 

The foes that round it throng ? 

It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand 

Go down in battle's shock ; 
Its shafts are laid on sinking sand, 

Not on abiding rock. 

Is it the sword ? Ask the red dust 

Of empires passed away ; 
The blood has turned their stones to rust, 

Their glory to decay. 

And is it pride ? Ah ! that bright crown 

Has seemed to nations sweet ; 
But God has struck its luster down 

In ashes at His feet. 

Not gold, but only man, can make 

A people great and strong ; 
Men who, for truth and honor's sake, 

Stand fast and suffer long. 

Brave men who work while others sleep, 

Who dare while others fly, — 
They build a nation's pillars deep. 

And lift them to the sky. 



214 



THE ORPHAN TURKEYS. 



THE ORPHAN TURKEYS. 



Twenty-two little turkeys 
Were hatched by two hens, 

And, one by one, some of them 
Came to bad ends; 

Till only six turkeys 
Were shivering with cold. 

The old hens had weaned them 
When scarce a month old. 

It was time for a venture, 
So the poor little things 

Crept up for a shelter 
'Neath the old rooster's wings. 

And not only then 
But the next rainy day, 



He sheltered them all 
In the same friendly way. 

The farmer's wife saw it. 
And said, " 1 declare, 

Kind-hearted old fellow, 
Your life 1 will spare. 

"I fully intended 

To take oflf your head; 
But those two old hens 

Shall lose theirs instead." 

My dear little children. 
You always will find, 

With folks or with fowls, 
It pays to be kind. 




A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 

We're little lads and lassies gay. 

Pray to our song give ear; 
We've come a long and snowy way 

To sing of Christmas cheer. 

There's no day half so dear and glad, 

Alike to young and old; 
We pray that no one may be sad, 

Or want for lack of gold. 

That each may have a merry heart, 

To greet this cheery day, 
And pass a happy greeting on 

To all who come their way. 

For Christmas is no time for woe, 
Tis a day for joy and cheer; 

It comes with wreathing greens and snow 
To round the happy year. 



THE JVIND. 215 



THE WIND. 



" What is the wind, mamma ?" 

" 'Tis air in motion, child ;" 
" Why can I never see the wind 

That blows so fierce and wild ?" 

" Because the gases, dear, 

Of which the air is made, 
Are quite transparent, that is, we 

See through, but see no shade. 

" And what are gases, ma ?" 
"Fluids, which, if we squeeze 

In space too small, will burst with force;' 
"And what are fluids, please ?" 

"Fluids are what will flow. 

And gases are so light 
That when we give them room enough. 

They rush with eager flight." 

"What gases, dear mamma, 

Make up the air or wind ?" 
" 'Tis oxygen and nitrogen 

That chiefly there we find ; 

"And, when the air is full 

Of oxygen, we're gay ; 
But when there is not quite enough 

We're dull, or faint away." 

" What makes the rain, mamma ?" 

"The mists and vapors rise 
From land, and stream, and rolling sea, 

Up toward the distant skies ; 



^l6 THE COUNTRY SCHOOLHOUSE. 

" And there they form the clouds 
Which, when they're watery, dear, 

Pour all the water down to earth, 
And rain afar or near." 

"What makes the snow, mamma ?" 
When very cold above, 

The mists are frozen high in air, 
And fall as snow, my love." 

" And hail ?" " Tis formed the same ; 

Cold streams of air have come 
And frozen all the water-drops. 

And thus the hail stones form." 



THE COUNTRY SCHOOLHOUSE. 

The schoolhouse stood beside the way, 
A shabby building, old and gray. 
With rattling sash, and loose-hung door, 
And rough, uneven walls and floor; 
And why the little homespun crew 
It gathered were some ways more blest 
Than others, you would scarce have guessed, 
It is a secret known to few. 

I'll tell it you. The high road lay 

Stretched all along the township hill, 

Whence the broad lands sloped either way, 

And smiling up d'd strive to fill 

At every window, every door, 

The schoolhouse, with that gracious lore 

That God's fair world would fain instil. 



THE WATER. MILL. ' 217 

So softly, quietly it came, 
The children never knew its name. 
Its various, unobtrusive looks 
They counted not as study-books; 
And yet they could not lift an eye 
From play or labor, dreamily, 
And not find writ in sweetest soeech, 
The tender lessons it would teach: 
"Be gentle, children, brave and true, 
And know the great God loveth you." 

Only the teacher, wise of heart. 

Divined the landscape's blessed art; 

And when she felt the lag and stir 

Of her young idlers fretting her, 

Out-glancing o'er the meadows wide, 

The ruffling woods, the far hillside, , 

She drew fresh breath of God's free grace, 

A gentler look came in her face, 

Her kindly voice caught in its own 

An echo of that pleasant tone 

In which the great world sang its song — 

" Be cheerful, patient, still and strong." 

M. E. Bennett. 



THE WATERMILL 

Listen to the watermill, through the livelong day, 
How the clicking of its wheel wears the hours away. 
Languidly the autumn wind stirs the greenwood leaves, 
From the fields the reapers sing, binding up the sheaves; 
And a proverb haunts my mind, as a spell is cast — 
The mill will never grind with the water that is past. 



213 THE IVATERMILL. 

Autumn winds revive no more leaves that once are shed, 

And the sickle cannot reap corn once gathered ; 

And the rippling stream flows on, tranquil, deep, and still. 

Never gliding back again to the watermill. 

Truly speaks the proverb old, with a meaning vast— 

The mill will never grind with the water that is past. 

Take the lesson to thyself, loving heart, and true ; 
Golden years are fleeting by ; youth is passing, too ; 
Learn to make the most of life, lose no happy day. 
Time will never bring thee back chances swept away ; 
Leave no tender word unsaid, love, while love shall last— 
The mill will never grind with the water that is past. 

Work while yet the daylight shines, man of strength ard will. 
Never does the streamlet glide useless by the mill ; 
Wait not till to-morrow's sun beams upon thy way. 
All that thou canst call thine own lies in thy to-day ; 
Power, intellect, and health may not always last — 
The mill will never grind with the water that is past. 

Oh ! the wasted hours of life that have drifted by ; 
Oh I the good we might have done, lost without a sigh ! 
Love that we might once have saved by a single word, 
Thoughts conceived, but never penned, perishing, unheard. 
Take the proverb to thine heart, take and hold it fast — 
The mill will never grind with the water that is past. 

Oh I love thy God and fellow-man, thyself consider last ; 
For come it will, when thou must scan dark errors of the past ; 
And when the fight of life is o'er, and earth recedes from view. 
And heaven in all its glory shines, 'midst the pure, the good, the 

true — 
Then you'll see more clearly the proverb deep and vast — 
The mill will never grind with the water that is past. 



ASTRONOMY MADE EASY. 219 



ASTRONOMY MADE EASY. 



Hi-diddle-diddle, 

The sun's in the middle 
And planets around him so grand 

Are swinging in space. 

Held forever in place 
In the zodiac girdle or band. 

Hi-diddle-diddle, 

The sun's in the middle, 
And Mercury's next to the sun: 

While Venus so bright. 

Seen at morning or night. 
Comes second to join in the fun. 

Hi-diddle-diddle, 

The sun's in the middle. 
And third in the group is our earth; 

While Mars with his tire, 

So warlike and dire. 
Swings around to be counted the fourth 

Hi-diddle-diddle, 

The sun's in the middle. 
While Jupiter's next to Mars; 

And his four moons at night 

Show the speed of the light; 
Next golden-ringed Saturn appears. 

Hi-diddle-diddle, 

The sun's in the middle. 
After Saturn comes Uranus far; 

And his antics so queer. 

Let astronomers near 
To old Neptune, who drives the last car. 



220 STR/IUSS' BOEDRY. 

STRAUSS' BOEDRY. 

Vagation dime vas coom again, 

Vhen dher vas no more shgool; 
I goes to boardt, der coundtry oudt, 

Vhere id vas nice und cool, 
I dakes Katrina und Loweeze, 

Und Leedle Yawcob Strauss; 
Bud at der boarding house dhey dakes 

" No shildren in der house." 

I dells you vot! some grass don'd grow 

Under old Yawcob's feet 
Undil he gets a gouble a miles 

Or so vay down der shtreet. 
I foundt oudt all I vanted, — 

For the rest 1 don'd vould care, — 
Dot boarding blace vas nix for me 

Vhen dhere been no shildren dhere. 

Vot vas der hammocks und der shvings, 

Grokay, und dings like dhese, 
Und der hoogleperry bicnics, 

Midoudt Yawcob und Loweeze? 
it vas von shdrange conondrum. 

Dot vos too much for Strauss, 
How all dhose beople stand it 

Mid no shildren in der house. 

"Oh, vot vas all dot eardthly bliss, 
Und vot vas man's soocksess; 

Und vot vas various kindt of dings, 
Und vot vas habbiness?" 



THE AXIS. 221 



Dot's vot Hans Breittmann ask, von dime— 

Dhey all vas embty soundt! 
Dot eardthly bliss vas nodings 

Vhen dhere vas no shildren roundt. 

Charles Follen Adams. 



THE AXIS. 



Child, you ask, "What is tne Axis?" 

With an apple 1 will show; 
Place your thumb upon the stem-place, 

And your fmger at the blow; 
Now we'll just suppose the apple 

Has a stem that passes through, 
And this stem would be the Axis; 

Now we'll whirl the apple, true. 

Holding fast 'twixt thumb and finger,— 

That's the way the earth goes round 
On its Axis, as we call it, 

Though no real stem is found. 
And the two ends of the Axis 

Have been called the Poles, my dear; 
Yes, the North Pole and the South Pole, 

Where 'tis very cold and drear. 

Now we'll hold a bigger apple 

At a distance, for the sun; 
Tip the smaller one a little. 

And then slowly wheel it round 
All around the larger apple. 

And it represents the earth 
Circling round the Sun that holds it, 

Ceaseless, in its yearly path. 



222 NOT READY FOR SCHOOL 

Wondrous is the strong attraction 

Of the Sun which holds in place 
All the Planets and their turnings, 

All the Stars that see His face; 
But more wondrous far, the power 

That created Sun and us. 
And that gave a form and being 

To this mighty Universe. 

"The Universe!" now you exclaim; 

"By the Universe, what do you mean?" 
'Tis the Sun and the Planets, and everything known 

That we call by this Universe name. 

Now the "Planets," you ask, 
"What are Planets?" They're globes, 

Some larger, some smaller than earth, — 
Which are swinging in space, 

And are held in place. 
By the God-power that first gave them birth. 



NOT READY FOR SCHOOL. 

Pray, where is my hat ? It is taken away, 
And my shoe-strings are all in a knot, 

I can't find a thing where it should be to-day, 
Though 1 hunted in every spot. 

Do, Rachel, just look for my speller up-stairs — 

My reader is somewhere there, too ; 
And sister, just brush down these troublesome hairs. 

And mother, just fasten my shoe. 



NOT REAOy FOR SCHOOL 



225 



And sister, beg father to write an excuse ; — 
But stop ! he will only say " No ;" 

And go on with a smile and keep reading the news. 
While everything bothers me so. 

My satchel is heavy and ready to 
fall, 
This old pop-gun is breaking 
my map ; 
ril have nothing to do with the 
pop-gun or ball. 
There's no playing for such a 
poor chap. 

The town-clock will strike in a 

minute, 1 fear, - ^'JS^^ 

Then away to the foot I will j!.' 

sink ; 

There 1 look at my Carpenter tumbled down here, 
And my Worcester covered over with ink. 

I wish I'd not lingered at breakfast the last, 
Though the toast and the butter were tine ; 

I think that our Edward must eat pretty fast. 
To be off when I haven't done mine. 




Now Edward and Henry protest they wont wait, 
And beat on the door with their sticks ; 

I suppose they will say I was dressing too late ; 
To-morrow I'll be up at six. 



Caroline Oilman. 



224 THE FIRST POCKET. 



THE FIRST POCKET. 



What is this tremendous noise ? 

What can be the matter ? 
WilHe's coming- up the stairs 

With unusual clatter. 
Now he bursts into the room, 

Noisy as a rocket : 
"Auntie I I am five years old — 

And I've got a pocket 1" 

Eyes as round and bright as stars ; 

Cheeks like apples glowing- ; 
Heart that this new treasure fills 

Quite to overflowing. 
"Jack may have his squeaking boots ; 

Kate may have her locket : 
I've got something better yet,-— * 

I have got a pocket 1" 

All too fresh the joy to make 

Emptiness a sorrow : 
Little hand is plump enough 

To fill it — till to-morrow. 
And ere many days were o'er, 

Strangest things did stock it : 
Nothing ever came amiss 

To this wondrous pocket. 

Leather, marbles, bits of string, 

Licorice-sticks and candy, 
Stones, a ball, his pennies too : 

It was always handy. 



A LITTLE CHILD'S FANCY. 225 

And, when Willie's snug in bed, 

Should you chance to knock it, 
Sundry treasures rattle out 

From this crowded pocket. 

Sometimes Johnny's borrowed knife 

Found a place within it : 
He forgot that he had said, 

" I want it just a minute." 
Once the closet-key was lost ; 

No one could unlock it : 
Where do you suppose it was ? — 

Down in Willie's pocket. 

Elizabeth Sill. 



NUMBER. 



A noun or name that means but one, 
Is called in the singular number; 

But when it stands for more than one, 
'Tis plural, child, remember. 



15 



A LITTLE CHILD'S FANCY. 

I think that the world was finished at night. 
Or the stars would not have been made; 

For they wouldn't have thought of having the light. 
If they hadn't first seen the shade. 

And then, again, I alter my mind. 

And think perhaps it was day. 
And the starry night was only designed 

For a littk child tired of play, 



226 



A LITTLE CHILD'S FANCY. 



And I think that an angel,when 
nobody knew, 
With a window pushed up 
very high, 
Let some of the seeds of the 
flowers fall through 
From the gardens they have 
in the sky. 

For they couldn't think here 
of lilies so white, 
And such beautiful roses, I 
know; 
But I wonder when falling 
from such a height, 
The dear little seeds should 
grow! 

And then, when the face of the 
angel has turned, 
1 think that the birds flew 
by. 
And are singing to us the songs 
they learned 
On the opposite side of the 
sky. 

And a rainbow must be the shining below 

Of a place in Heaven's floor that is thin. 
Right close to the door where the children go 

When the dear Lord lets them in. 
And I think that the clouds that float in the skies 

Are the curtains that they drop down. 
For fear when we look we siiould dazzle our eyes. 

As they each of them put on their crown. 




LESSON IN ARITHMETIC. 227 

I do not know why the water was sent. 

Unless, perhaps, it might be 
God wanted us all to know what it meant 

When we read of the "Jasper Sea." 

Oh! the world where we live is a lovely place, 

But it oftentimes makes me sigh, 
For I'm always trying causes to trace. 

And keep thinking "Wherefore?" and "Why?" 

Ah! dear little child, the longing you feel 

Is the stir of immortal wings. 
But infinite love will one day reveal 

The most hidden and puzzling things. 

You have only your duty to try and do, 

To be happy, and rest content; 
For by being good and by being true 

You will find out all that is meant! 

Mrs. l. C. Whiton. 



LESSON IN ARITHMETIC. 

Four robin redbreasts on the old apple tree, 
Whose pink and white blossoms are as thick as can be- 
lt two of these birds should quick fly away, 
How many redbreasts would be left? tell me, pray. 

(answer.) 
Only two would be left but they would not stay. 
For they never will — 1 have watched them to-day. 

Tom's six frisky kittens are chasing their tails, 
As the milkmaid passes with overflowing pails— 
If two of the kittens remain at their play, 
Then how many have followed the milkmaid; say? 



228 



lesson in /arithmetic. 

(answer.) 
Four dear little kittens have followed the maid, 
And— the others will follow, if they're not afraid. 

Eight fleecy white lambkins yonder are seen 
Just over the brook, in the pasture green, 




If eight of them leap over the low, stone wall, 
Then, how manv lambkins do not jump at all? 

(ANSWER.) 

Were they Bo-peep's lambkins, mamma? O, I know, 
If one lamb leaped the wall, all the rest would go. 



A LITTLE TRAVELER. 229 

If out of the water and dark mud below, 
Rise ten water lilies as white as the snow, 
And five laddies row out to gather the ten, 
How many apiece have the brave, little men? 

(answer.) 
They would have two apiece, if Tom had his way, 
But Archie'd have more — he's so mean, Archie Gray. 

Suppose 1 am forty and you are but five, 
in ten sunny years — if we still keep alive — 
Winter and summer, in all sorts of weather, — 
Pray how many years can we count together? 

(answer, counting slowly.) 
Why, you WQuld be f-f-fifty and I'd be f-fifteen. 
There'd be ever so many years between. 
Count them together? Mamma, wait till I grow 



A LITTLE TRAVELER. 

I'm but a little girl, you know — 
I'm only five years old or so— 
And yet I traveled quite a lot 
For one so young, I tell you what ! 

When 1 get mad, and won't mind ma. 
When I won't kiss my dear, kind pa, 
My head is filled with ire, and 
Of course, I am in Ireland. 

When I in the city go, 
I don't act like those folks, you know ; 
They say I'm "green," and naturally 
I think I must in Greenland be. 



230 



THE CHILDREN'S KING. 



When I get cross at Sadie Trem, 
Or Billy Bliflf, or some of them, 
They say I act so coldly. Why, 
No doubt, in Iceland then am I. 

When mamma takes and nestles me 
Against her breast so restfully, 
I think Vm right in telling you 
That I'm in Lapland. Isn't that true ? 

H. R. Maginley. 




GOOD-MORNING. 



THE CHILDREN'S KING. 

There once was a merry old monarch 
Who ruled in a frolicsome way. 

He cut high jinks with the children, 
And played with them all through the 
day. 

"A king always gets into trouble 
When trying to govern," he said, 

"So nothing but marble and leap-frog 
And tennis shall bother my head." 

Ah, well ! The wise people deposed him. 

"You may govern the children," said 
they; 
"Why, that is exactly wh at suits me," 

He replied, and went on with his play. 



But it wasn't a year till the people 
All wanted the king back again ; 

They had learned that a ruler of children 
Makes a pretty good ruler of men. 



THE PROPER TIME 



231 



THE BOYS WE NEED. 

Here's the boy who's not afraid 
To do his share of work, 

Who never is by toil dismayed, 
And never tries to shirk. 

The boy whose heart is brave to meet 

All lions in the way ; 
Who's not discouraged by defeat, 

But tries another day. 

The boy who always means to do 

The very best he can ; 
Who always keeps the right in view. 

And aims to be a man. 

Such boys as these will grow to be 

The men whose hands will guide 
The future of our land; and we 

Shall speak their names with pride. 

All honor to the boy who is 
A man at heart, 1 say ; 

Whose legend on his shield is this, 
" Right always wins the day." 




THE PROPER TIME. 

"Will you play with me? Will you play with me?" 
A little girl said to the birds on a tree. 
*'0h, we have our nests to build," said they: 
"There's a time for work, and a time for play." 



232 



THE FIRST RUBBER BOOTS. 



Then meeting a dog, she cried "Hallol 
Come play with nie, Jip, and do as I do." 
Said he, "I must watch the orchard to-day: 
There's a time for work, and a time for play." 

A boy she saw; and to him she cried, 
"Come, play v/ith me, John, by the green- 
wood side. 
"Oh, no!" said John, "I've my lesson to say: 
There's a time for work, and a time for play." 

Then thoughtful awhile stood the little 

miss, • 
And said, "It is hard, on a day like this. 
To go to work; but, from what they all 

say, 
'Tis a time for work, and not for play." 

So homeward she went, and took her book, 
And first at the pictures began to look; 
Then said, "1 think 1 will study to-day: 
There's a time for work, and a time for play." 

Emily Carter. 




THE FIRST RUBBER BOOTS. 

That precious pair of rubber boots, 
So tall, so black, so shining! 

They're just the things, the very things, 
For which our Ned's been pining. 

And now he calls them all his own, 
A happy thought comes o'er him, 

And when he kneels to say his prayers, 
He sets the boots before him. 



AN ALPHABET OF RISERS. 233 

Then into bed our darling goes, 

His treasures near him keeping; 
For on the pillow one small head 

Between two boots is sleeping. 

Through snow, through slush, and in the rain, 

O never mind the weather! — 
The rubber boots, the little Ned, 

They trudge along together. 

His feet go dabbling in the brook. 

Just like two little tlshes, 
And then he runs to tell mamma 

The funniest of wishes. 

" I wish I was a puss-tat, ma. 

Just like our old gray Molly, 
Then I could wear four rubber boots, 

Oh, wouldn't that be jolly!" 



AN ALPHABET OF RIVERS. 

streams, tlie Names of Which Run the Gamut of the Letters. 

A stands for the Amazon, mighty and grand. 
And the B's Beresina, on Muscovy's strand. 
The placid Charles River will fit for the C, 
While the beautiful blue Danube is ready for D. 
The E is the Elbe, in Deutschland far north. 
And the first F I tind, strange to say, is the Forth. 
The great river Ganges can go for the G, 
And for H our blue Hudson will certainly be. 
The quaint Irrawaddy for I has its claims. 
And the J is the limpid and beautiful James. 



234 HIS PROFESSION. 

The K is for Kama, I know in a jiffy, 

And tiie L is the Loire and the prosperous Liffey. 

For M we have plenty to choose from, and — well, 

There's the noble Missouri, the gentle Moselle. 

For N we have Nile, and the Onion is O, 

While for P you can choose the gray Pruth or the Po. 

The Q is the Quinebaug, one of our own. 

But the R comes to front with the Rhine and the Rhone. 

For the S there's the Shannon, a beautiful stream, 

And the T is the Tiber, where Rome reigns supreme. 

The Ural, I think, will with U quite agree, 

And the turbulent Volga will fit for the V. 

The W's Weser, and the Xeni is X 

(You may fmd it spelled with a J, to perplex). 

Then for Y Yang-tse-kiang is simple and easy, 

And to end the long list with a Z take Zambesi. 

"The Traveler," St. Nicholas. 



HIS PROFESSION. 

My boy and I rode in a train 

One morning bright and clear. 
"When I'm a grown up man," said he, 

"I'll be an engineer." 
But soon the dusttlew in his eyes. 

And heavy grew his head. 
" I wouldn't be an engineer 

For all the world," he said. 

My boy was at a seaport town. 

And saw the rolling sea. 
"Mamma," he said one evening, 

A sailor 1 shall be !" 



THE CHILD'S CENTENNIAL 235 

We took him to a yacht race — 

He had to go to bed ! 
" I wouldn't be a sailor, now, 

For all the world," he said. 

We read him stirring stories 

Of soldiers and their fame. 
"I'll go and fight," cried Freddie, 

" And put them all to shame !" 
We told him of a soldier's life ; 

He shook his little head, 
" I wouldn't be a soldier, now. 

For all the world," he said. 

And thus to each profession 

He first said "yes," then "no." 
" To make a choice is hard," he said, 

" At least, 1 find it so." 
" But what, then, will you be ?" I asked, 

"When you are grown-up, Fred ?" 
" I really think I'll only be 

A gentleman," he said. 

Dr. Malcolm McLeod, St. Nicholas. 



THE CHILD'S CENTENNIAL. 

Around the purple clover-tlowers, 
The butterflies were flitting; 

And on a stone beside the road 
A little boy was sitting. 

The fragrant air his yellow hair 
Around his face was blowing, 

And down his pretty rosy cheeks. 
The great, round tears were flowing. 



236 



THE CHILD'S CENTENNIAL 

His breeches were of coarse, brown cloth; 

His frock was made of tow; 
For Httle Ebenezer lived 

A hundred years ago. 

Along the road, upon a horse, 
Two men came, riding double; 




BUTTERFLY WEDDING. 



And one spoke out, "My pretty lad, 
Pray tell me, what's the trouble?" 

But, at his friendly words, the boy 

Began to sob the louder: 
"O, sir," said he, "my father took 

His gun, and horn of powder, 



A CHILD'S CENTENNIAL. 



237 



"And rode away this very morn 

To help to fight the foe!" 
For there was war within the land 

A hundred years ago. 

The foremost man drew in his rein 
(His horse was somewhat skittish) 

And said, "My dear, I would not fear 
We hope to beat the British. 

"And when the Yankees win the day, 

And send the Red-coats flying, 
And home again your father comes, 

You will not feel like crying: 

"You'll be a happy fellow then." 

"Oh, that 1 shall, 1 know!" 
Poor little Ebenezer said 

A hundred years ago. 

"But if he should not come at all, 
And we should tlnd, instead, sir, 

A musket-ball had shot him down, 
A sword cut olT his head, sir?" 

"Oh, even then," the man replied, 
"You'd proudly tell his story. 

And say, 'He died for freedom's sake, 
And for his country's glory.' 

"But brave must oe the little son 
Whose father fights the foe: 

We need stout hearts." And so they did, 
A hundred years ago. 

The man rode on, and home again 
Ran little Ebenezer; 




238 LETTING THE OLD CAT DIE. 

"Now I must share my mother's care," 
He said, "and try to please her; 

And I must work in every way, — 
Rake hay, and feed the cattle, 

And hoe the corn, since father's gone 
To give the British battle/' 

Oh! looking backward, let us not 
Forget the thanks we owe 

To those good little boys who lived 
A hundred years ago 1 

Marian Douglas 



LETTING THE OLD -CAT DIE. 

Not long ago I wandered near 

A playground in the wood ; 
And there heard words from a youngster's lips 

That I never quite understood. 

" Now let the old cat die," he laughed ; 

I saw him give a push, 
Then gaily scamper away as he spied 

A face peep over the bush. 

But what he pushed, or where he went, 

I could not well make out, 
On account of the thicket of bending boughs, 

That bordered the place about. 

" The little villain has stoned a cat. 

Or hung it upon a limb. 
And left it to die alone," 1 said, 

"But I'll play the mischief with him." 



LETTING THE OLD CAT DIE. 

' *^°'"'' "V way between the boughs 
The poor old cat to seek • ' 

u/-l''u* '"''' ' ''"'' ''"t '■• swinging child 
W.th her bniht hair brushi„g^iehli 



239 




IN THE SWING. 



240 LETTING THE OLD CAT DIE. 

Her bright hair floated to and fro, 

Her little red dress flashed by, 
But the liveliest thing of all, I thought, 

Was the gleam of her laughing eye. 

Swinging and swaying back and forth 

With the rose-light in her face. 
She seemed like a bird and a flower in one. 

And the wood her native place. 

"Steady ! I'll send you up, my child !"' 

But she stopped me with a cry : 
" Go 'way ! go 'way 1 Don't touch me, please ; 

I'm letting the old cat die !" 

'* You letting him die !" 1 cried, aghast ; 

" Why, where is the cat, my dear ?" 
And lo ! the laughter that filled the woods 

Was a thing for the birds to hear. 

" Why, don't you Know," said the little maid, 

The flitting, beautiful elf, 
" That we call it ' letting the old cat die,' 

When the swing stops all by itself ?" 

Then floating and swinging, and looking back 

With merriment in her eye. 
She bade me "good-day," and I left her alone, 

A-letting the old cat die. 

Mary Mapes Dodge. 



A STORY FOR BOYS. 



241 




A STORY FOR BOYS. 

If you are fond of cats, if you have a dear little pussy of your own, 
you will like this story, for it is true. 

Phil was a French lad, and his pet and favorite was a white cat, 
with a bushy tail and long thick fur. She 
followed him about the fields when he went 
to plow, and sat on his knee by the fire- 
side, and slept on his pillow at night. 

But a sad day came to pussy and her 
master. Phil, who was now a strong lad of 
sixteen, was selected for a soldier. It was 
at the time when the French and English 
joined to fight the Russians in the Crimea. 

" Farewell" is the hardest of words to us all. Phil's heart ached 
sorely as he marched away with his regiment for the first time. But 
a soldier's pride was stirring in his bosom. The roll of the drum called 
up exultant thoughts of the honor and glory his own dear France was 
sure to gain. 

On, on they marched along the dusty road, between the rows of 
limes and chestnuts, and Phil could hear the beating of the waves upon 
the sandy shore of the bay, where the transport ships were waiting. 

How many leagues already separated him from his boyhood's home I 
His heart grew heavy at the thought, and happening to turn his head 
he saw his snow-white beauty, his cat of cats, drab with dust, and 
panting with heat, watching the soldiers as they marched by. When 
she caught sight of her master's face puss sprang up joyously and ran 
steadily by his side. Phil was touched to think how faithfully and how 
far she had followed him. But what was he to do with her ? He could 
not send her back ; he could not leave her by the way. She would run 
on by his side until her little feet grew sore and weary, and her legs 
dragged painfully after her master. Phil glanced at the stern sergeant, 
but he was looking another way. He lifted up his cat quickly, and 

16 



242 A STORY FOR BOYS. 

set her on his knapsack. She clung to him. happy and content. Her 
point was gained: they were not to be parted. Through all the hurry 
and bustle of embarking, pussy kept her place. 

Whoever before heard of a cat going to the wars of her own free 
will ? The soldiers might well laugh, but no one interfered with her. 
At meals she munched a corner of Phil's ration, and at night she slept 
in his arms. 

When the soldiers left the ships, and were landed on Turkish soil, 
the weary march began again. Puss coiled herself up on her master's 
knapsack, and journeyed with him. 

How fondly Phil loved his little pussy friend I She grew more 
precious every*day, as she shared and cheered the many toils and dangers 
of the young soldier's life ; sometimes standing quiet by his side, and 
purring lovingly, when the duties of the day were over, and her master 
cooked such supper as he could get by the camp fires. For the poor 
soldiers had often little to eat, and many hardships to endure, before 
they won the battle. 

As first he had to work in the trenches with pickaxe and spade, 
but when his regiment was ordered into active service, and he must 
face the cannon's mouth, he left his puss with a sick comrade. The poor 
sick fellow promised to take good care of her. 

The troops were about a mile from camp, when Phil caught sight 
of his pet running steadily after him. He lifted her up on her custom- 
ary seat on his knapsack, for the battle was beginning. The Russian 
cannon began fire, and the thundering noise deadened every other sound; 
but those little white paws only clung the closer to her soldier's belt. 
There was fighting all around him, and men were falling. But the 
soldiers closed their ranks and still pressed onward. Twice poor Phil 
went down, but pussy never loosed her hold. She clung to his coat, 
determined not to be parted from the master she loved so dearly. 

At last a severe wound in the breast threw him senseless on the 
ground. No sympathetic friend dared to stop during the battle 
to raise him up or speak one pitying word. The thick cloud of 



A STORY FOR BOYS. 



245 



smoke from the cannon on both sides turned the daylight into dark- 
ness. 

But a cat's keen eye, which can see in the dimmest light, enabled 
the faithful puss to distinguish the dark stream of blood flowing from 
her master's breast. 

With an intelligent comprehension of his danger, the devoted little 
creature seated herself upon him, and began to wash away the blood. 

Think of the dreadful wound in the poor young soldier's breast, 



^^1, "^^A 




and that little cat, with nothing but her tiny tongue, trying so hard to 
close it. Remember how the cannon-balls were rattling around her. 
How scared and terrified she must have been; for we know all animals, 
except the trained war-horse, fly in terror from the battle-field. But 
the great love that filled the darling pussy's heart was greater than all 



244 l^ACATION. 

the danger. Her snowy fur was soaked in blood. Her tiny tongue 
was aching, as hour after hour went by and Phil still lay unconscious. 

When the conflict was over, the army surgeon came round with 
the ambulance, to look for the wounded, and there he found them. 

Poor Phil was carried back to the hospital. His wound was bound 
up and he slowly revived. 

"Shall I live?" were the first words that passed his lips, as he 
looked into the surgeon's face. 

**Yes, my good fellow, thanks to your little cat; if she had not 
used her tongue so intelligently you would have bled to death," was 
the reply. 

A soft, low purr in his ear sounded sweetly to the grateful lad; 
and many a worn, white face was lifted from the beds around him to 
look at his pussy. 

Through all the faintness occasioned by the loss of blood, through 
all the burning fever brought on by the wound in his breast, Phil never 
ceased to ask that his cat might stay with him. 

It was contrary to all hospital rules, but the officer said: 

" Yes, let her stay." 

The little creature's devoted love won all hearts. She was sent 
with her master to the regular hospital. -She was fed with the choicest 
morsels from his plate. She was petted by all around her; and was 
pointed out with proud admiration to every new-comer. 



VACATION. 

Vacation is coming. 

We all will be gay, 
We leave our worn school books 

For sport and for play. 



THE CHILDREN'S HOUR, 



245 



We'll off to the country, 
To visit our friends. 

And spend our time finely, 
Till vacation ends. 



_i 



^<v.v. 













And then to our studies 
We'll cheerfully 'tend, 

Performing our duties, 
Thus please our dear friends. 



THE CHILDREN'S HOUR. 

Between the dark and the daylight. 
When the night is beginning to lower, 

Comes a pause in the day's occupations. 
That is known as the Children's Hour 










A MERRY DANCE. 



246 



FATHER AT PLAY. 



24/ 



FATHER AT PLAY. 



Such fun as we had one rainy day. 
When father was homo and helped 

us play, 
And made a ship and hoisted sail. 
And crossed the sea in a fearful 

gale! 

But we hadn't sailed into London 

town, 
When the captain and crew, and 
vessel went down, 
Down, down in a jolly wreck, 
With the captain rolling- under the deck. 

But he broke out again with a lion's roar, 

And we on two legs, he on four, 

Ran out of the parlor and up the stair, ^ 

And frightened mamma and the baby there. 




So mamma said she would be p'lice- 

man now, 
And tried to 'rest us. She didn't know 

how. 
Then the lion laughed, and forgot to 

roar, 
Till we chased him out of the nursery 

door; 



^^^^Ty^. 




And then he turned to a pony gay, 
And carried us all on his back away. 
Whippsty, lickity, kickity, ho ! 
If we hadn't fun, then 1 don't know. 



248 



THE RABBIT ON THE WALL. 



TRUE LOVE. 

" How much I love you, mother dear !" 

A little prattler said : 
" 1 love you in the morning bright, 

And when I go to bed. 




" I love you when I'm near to you, 

And when I'm far away : 
I love you when I am at work, 

And when I am at play." 

And then she slily, sweetly raised 

Her lovely eyes of blue : 
" I love you when you love me best, 

And when you scold me, too." 

The mother kissed her darling child, 
And stooped a tear to hide : 

" My precious one, 1 love you most 
When 1 am forced to chide. 



''I could not let my darling child 

In sin and folly go. 
And this is why I sometimes chide, 

Because I love vou so." 



THE RABBIT ON THE WALL 

The cottage work is over, 
The evening meal is done ; 

Hark ! through the starlit stillness 
You hear the river run ; 



THE RABBIT ON THE IV ALL. 249 

The cotter's children whisper, 

Then speak out one and all , 
" Come, father, make for Johnny 

A rabbit on the wall." 

He smilingly assenting, 

They gather round his chair : 
"Now, grandma, you hold Johnny ; 

Don't let the candle flare." 
So speaking, from his fingers 

He throws a shadow tall, 
That seems the moment after 

A rabbit on the wall. 

The children shout with laughter, 

The uproar louder grows, 
E'en grandma chuckles faintly. 

And Johnny chirps and crows. 
There ne'er was gilded painting 

Hung up in lordly hall, 
Gave half the simple pleasure. 

As this rabbit on the wall. 

Ah ! who does not remember 

When humble sports like these 
Than many a costlier pastime, . • 

Had greater power to please ? 
When o'er life's autumn pathway, 

The sere leaves thickly fall. 
How oft we sigh, recalling 

The rabbit on the wall. 



250 '^LITTLE CHILDREN, LOFE ONE ANOTHER." 

"LITTLE CHILDREN, LOVE ONE ANOTHER." 

A little girl, with a happy look, 

Sat slowly reading in a ponderous book 

All bound with velvet, and edged with gold, 

And its weight was more than the child could hold; 

Yet dearly she loved to ponder it o'er. 

And every day she prized it more; 

For it said— and she looked at her smnmg mother — 

It Sftid, "Little children, love one another." 

She thought it was beautiful in the book. 

And the lesson home to her heart she 
took; 

She walked on her way with a trust- 
ing grace. 

And a dove-like look in her meek 
young face, 

Which said, just as plain as words 
could say, 

"The Holy Bible I must obey; 

So, mamma, I'll be kind to my dar- 
ling brother. 

For ' Little children must love each 
other.' 

"I'm sorry he's naughty, and will not play; 
But I'll love him still, for I think the way 
To make him gentle and kind to me 
Will be better shown if 1 let him see 
I strive to do what I think is right; 
And thus, when 1 kneel in prayer to-night, 
I will clasp my hands around my brother. 
And say, 'Little children love one another." 




NE^ER OUT OF SIGHT. 

The little girl did as her Bible taught, 

And pleasant indeed was the change it wrought; 

For the boy looked up in glad surprise, 

To meet the light of her loving eyes: 

His heart was full, he could not speak, 

But he pressed a kiss on his sister's cheek; 

And God looked down on that happy mother 

Whose little children loved each other. 



251 



NEVER OUT OF SIGHT. 

1 know a little saying. 

That is altogether true ; 
My little boy, my little girl, 

The saying is for you. 
Tis this, O blue and black eyes. 

And gray— so deep and bright- 
No child in all this careless world 

Is ever out of sight. 




No matter whether fields or glen, 

Or city's crowded way. 
Or pleasure's laugh or labor's hum, 

Entice your feet to stay. 
Some one is always watching you ; 

And, whether wrong or right. 
No child in all this busy world 

Is ever out of sight. 



252 



LITTLE THINGS. 



Some one is always watching you ; 

And marking what you do, 
To see if all your childhood's acts 

Are honest, brave, and true ; 
And, watchful more than mortal kind, 

God's angels pure and white, 
In gladness and in sorrowing. 

Are keeping you in sight. 

O, bear in mind, my little one. 

And let your mark be high ! 
You do whatever thing you do, 

Beneath some seeing eye. 
O, bear in mind, my little ones. 

And keep your good name bright, 
No child upon this round, round earth 

Is ever out of sight. 




LITTLE THINGS. 

A cup of water timely brought, 

An offered easy chair, 
A turning of the window-blind, 

That all may feel the air ; 
An early flower bestowed unasked, 

A light and cautious tread, 
A voice to softest whispers hushed 

To spare an aching head — 
Oh, things like these, though little things. 

The purest love disclose. 
As fragrant atoms in the air 

Reveal the hidden rose. 



PUSSY'S CLASS. 



25> 



PERSEVERANCE. 

The boy who does a stroke, and stops 
Will ne'er a great man be ; 
Tis the aggregate of single drops 
That makes the sea the sea. 

Not all at once the morning streams 

Its gold above the gray, 
It takes a thousand little beams 

To make the day the day. 

The farmer needs must sow and till, 

And wait the wheaten head. 
Then cradle, thresh, and go to mill. 

Before his bread is bread. 

Swift heels may get the early shout, 
But, spite of all the din. 

It is the patient holding out 
That makes the winner win. 




PUSSY'S CLASS. 

"Now, children," said Puss, as she shook her head, 
"It is time your morning lesson was said." 
So her kittens drew near with footsteps slow. 
And sat down before her, all in a row. 

"Attention, classl" said the cat-mamma, 
"And tell me quick where your noses are." 
At this all the kittens sniffed the air 
As though it were filled with a perfume rare. 



254 PUSSY'S CLASS. 

" Now what do you say when you want a drink?" 
The kittens waited a moment to think, 
And then the answer came clear and loud — 
You ought to have heard how those kittens meowed I 

" Very well. 'Tis the same, with a sharper tone. 
When you want a fish or bit of bone; 
Now what do you say when children are good?" 
And the kittens purred as soft as they could. 

"And what do you do when children are bad — 
When they tease and pull?" Each kitty looked sad. 
" Poohl" said their mother, "that isn't enough; 
You must use your claws when children are rough. 

"And where are your claws? no, no my dear 

(As she took up a paw). See! they're hidden here;" 

Then all the kittens crowded about 

To see their sharp little claws brought out. 

They felt quite sure they should never need 
To use such weapons — oh, no, indeed! 
But the wise mamma gave a pussy's "Pshaw!" 
And boxed their ears with her softest paw. 

" Now, 'Sptiss!' as hard as you can," she said; 

But every kitten hung down its head; 

" 'SptissI' I say," cried the mother cat, 

But they said, "Oh, mammy, we can't do thatl " 

"Then go and play," said the fond mamma; 
"What sweet little idiots kittens are! 
Ah well! I was once the same, I suppose," 
And she looked very wise and rubbed her nose. 

Mary Mapes Dodge. 



SEl^EN TIMES ONE. 



255 



SEVEN TIMES ONE. 

There's no dew left on the daisies and clover, 

There's no rain left in heaven: 
I've said my "seven times" over and over, 

Seven times one are seven. 




SEVEN TIMES ONE. 



I am old, so old I can write a letter; 

My birthday lessons are done; 
The lambs play always, they know no better; 

They are only one times one. 



256 GOOD-NIGHT. 

O, moon, in the night I have seen you sailing 

And shining so round and low; 
You were bright — ah bright! but your light is failing; 

You are nothing now but a bow. 

You moon, have you done something wrong in heaven. 

That God has hidden your face? 
I hope if you have, you will soon be forgiven, 

And shine again in your place. 

O, velvet bee, youVe a dusty fellow, 
You've powdered your legs with gold! 

O, brave marshmary buds, rich and yellow. 
Give me your money to hold. 

O, columbine, open your folded wrapper. 
Where two twin turtle-doves dwell! 

O, cuckoo-pint, toll me the purple clapper 
That hangs in your clear green bell. 

And show me the nests with the young ones in it; 

I will not steal them away: 
I am old! You may trust me, linnet, linnet, 

I am seven times one to-day. 

Jean Ingelow. 



GOOD-NIGHT. 
" Good night !" said the plow to the weary old horse ; 

And Dobbin responded, "Good-night I" 
Then, with Tom on his back, to the farm-house he turned. 

With a feeling of quiet delight. 

"Good-night !" said the ox, with a comical bow, 

As he turned from the heavy old cart. 
Which laughed till it shook a round wheel from its side. 

Then creaked out, "Good-night, from my heart !" 



TIVO LITTLE GIRLS. 

•' Good-night !" said the hen, when her supper was done, 

To Fanny, who stood in the door; 
"Good-night I" answered Fanny ; "come back in the morn 

And you and your chicks shall have more." 

"Quack, quack !" said the duck, " I wish you all well. 

Though 1 cannot tell what is polite." 
"The will for the deed," answered Benny the brave ; 

"Good-night, Madam Ducky, good-night 1" 



257 



TWO LITTLE GIRLS. 
I know a little girl 
(You ? O, no !) 
Who, when she's asked to go to bed, 

Does just so : 
She brings a dozen wrinkles out, 
And takes the dimples in ; 
She puckers up her pretty lips. 

And then she does begin : 
" Oh, dear me ! I don't see why- 
All the others sit up late, 
And why can't 1 ?" 

Another little girl 1 know, 

With curly pate, 
Who says : "When I'm a great big girl, ' 
I'll sit up late ; 

But mamma says 'twill make me grow 

To be an early bird." 
So she and dolly trot away 

Without another word. 
Oh, the sunny smile and the eyes so blue ! 
And— and— why, yes, now I think of it. 
She looks like you I 

17 




=.^41 



258 



THE CHILDREN'S BEDTIME. 




BE ACTIVE. 



Be active, be active, find something to do 
In digging a clam-bank or tapping a shoe^ 
Don't stop at the corner to drag out the day, 
Be active, be active, and work while you 
may. 



THE CHILDREN'S BEDTIME. 



The clock strikes seven in the hall, 
The curfew of the children's day, 
That calls each little pattering foot 

From dance and song and lively play; 
Their day that in a wider light 
Floats like a silver day-moon white, 
Nor in our darkness sinks to rest, 
But sets within a golden west. 

Ah, tender hour that sends a drift 

Of children's kisses through the house, 
And cuckoo notes of sweet "Good night," 

That thoughts of heaven and home arouse 
And a soft stir to sense and heart. 
As when the bee and blossoms part; 
And little feet that patter slower. 
Like the last droppings of a shower. 




BEDTIME. 
259 



260 THE CHILDREN'S BEDTIME 

And in the children's room aloft, 

What blossom shapes do gaily slip 
Their daily sheaths, and rosy run 

From clasping hand and kissing lip, 
A naked sweetness to the eye- 
Blossoms and babe and butterfly 
In witching one, so dear a sightl 
An ecstacy of life and light. 

Then lily-drest, in angel white. 

To mother's knee they trooping come. 
The soft palms fold like kissing shells, 
And they and we go singing home— 
Their bright heads bowed and worshiping. 
As though some glory of the spring. 
Some daflfodil that mocks the day, 
Should fold his golden palms and pray. 

The gates of paradise swing wide 

A moment's space in soft accord. 
And those dread angels. Life and Death, 

A moment veil the flaming sword. 
As o'er this weary world forlorn 
From Eden's secret heart is borne 
That breath of Paradise most fair. 
Which mothers call "the children's prayer. 

Then kissed, on beds we lay them down. 

As fragrant white as clover'd sod. 
And all the upper floors grow hushed 

With children's sleep, and dews of God. 
And as our stars their beams do hide. 
The stars of twilight, opening wide. 
Take up the heavenly tale at even. 
And light us on to God and heaven. 



MOTHER. KNOWS, 



261 



MOTHER KNOWS. 

Nobody knows of the work it makes 
To keep the home together ; 

Nobody knows of the steps it takes, 
Nobody knows— but mother. 




Nobody listens to childish woes 
Which kisses only smother ; 

Nobody's pained by naughty blows, 
Nobody— only mother. 



262 BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY. 

Nobody knows of the sleepless care 
Bestowed on baby brother ; 

Nobody knows of the tender pray'r, 
Nobody — only mother. 

Nobody knows of the lessons taught 
Of loving one another ; 

Nobody knows of the patience sought, 
Nobody— only mother. 

Nobody knows of the anxious fears 
Lest darlings may not weather 

The storm of life in after years ; 
Nobody knows — but mother. 



H. C. Dodge. 




BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY. 

in speaking of a person's faults, 

Pray don't forget your own; 
Remember those in houses, glass, 

Should never throw a stone. 
If we have nothing else to do 

But talk of those in sin, 
Tis better we commence at home. 

And from that point begin. 

We have no right to judge a man. 

Until he's fairly tried; 
Should we not like his company, 

We know the world is wide. 
Some may have faults — and who has not? 

The old as well as young; 
We may, perhaps, for aught we know, 

Have fifty to their one. 



THE TIVO FRIENDS. 263 

I'll tell you of a better plan, 

And find it works full well; 
To try my own defects to cure, 

Before of others tell; 
And though I sometimes hope to be 

No worse than some I know, 
My own shortcomings bid me let 

The faults of others go. 

Then let us all when we commence 

To slander friend and foe, 
Think of the harm one word may do, 

To those we little know; 
Remember curses, sometimes, like 

Our chickens, "roost at home;" 
Don't speak of other's faults until 

We have none of our own. 



THE TWO FRIENDS. 

My dog and I are faithful friends; 

We read and play together; 
We tramp across the hills and fields. 

When it is pleasant weather. 

And when from school with eager haste 

I come along the street, 
He hurries on with bounding step. 

My glad return to greet. 

Then how he frisks along the road. 

And jumps up in my face! 
And if I let him steal a kiss, 

I'm sure it's no disgrace. 



THE TWO FRIENDS. 

Oh, had he but the gift of speech 

But for a single day. 
How dearly should I like to hear 

The funny things he'd say! 

Yet, though he cannot say a word 
As human beings can, 




He knows and thinks as much as 1, 
Or much as any man. 

And what he knows, and thinks, and feels, 

Is written in his eye; 
My faithful dog cannot deceive, 

And never told a lie. 



THE LAZY BOY. 



265 



Come here, good fellow, while 1 read 

What other dogs can do; 
And if I live when you have gone, 

I'll write your history too. 



Susan Jewett. 



THE LAZY BOY. 

The lazy lad 1 and what's his name ? 

I should not like to tell ; 
But don't you think it is a shame 

That he can't read nor spell ? 



He'd rather swing upon a gate, 

Or paddle in the brook. 
Than take his pencil and his slate, 

Or try to con his book. 

There I see he's lounging down the 
street, 

His hat without a rim ; 
He rather drags than lifts his feet — 

His face unwashed and grim. 




He's lolling now against a post, 

But if you've seen him once. 
You'll know the lad amongst a host ; 

For what he is — a dunce. 

Don't ask me what's the urchin's name, — 

I do not choose to tell ; 
But this you'll know — it is the same 

As his who does not blush for shame that he don't 
read or spell. 



266 



THE CASTLE BUILDERS. 



A SHOCKING TEASE. 







tP'- 




HE. 



"Oh, dear 1 that aggravating cat. 
She drives me nearly crazy; 

She steals my bones when I'm asleep, 
And laughs and calls me lazy! 

"My appetite's not what it was; 

I'm daily growing thinner. 
Because, you see, the worry's such, 

I can't enjoy my dinner! 

"If I could only bite her well 
'Twould be a diflferent matter! 

But, oh, she's such a nimble thing 
A fellow can't get at her!" 

SHE. 



"You poor old Toby, good old dog. 
You don't know how 1 love you! 

You little thought that tiresome cat 
Was listening just above you." 



THE CASTLE BUILDERS. 

Building castles all the day. 

Are you never weary, say? 
Though the sun is sinking fast, 

Still another! This the last? 

Build it strong, and build it steep. 
Print the doors and windows deep, 

Border it with stones of white. 
Trees and flowers of seaweed bright. 





THE CASTLE BUILDERS. 

267 



268 MAKING MUD-PIES. 



When it rises proud and high, 
From the top a flag shall fly — 

Stay; what need for all this pains, 
When to-morrow nought remains? 

Hear the wild waves what they sing, 
"Whether at your work or play, 
Little people, come what may. 
Always do your best T' 



Ellis Walton. 



MAKING MUD-PIES. 

Under the apple tree, spreading and thick, 
Happy with only a pan and a stick, 
On the soft grass in the shadow that lies. 
Our little Fanny is making mud-pies. 

On her brown apron and bright drooping head 
Showers of pink and white blossoms are shed; 
Tied to a branch that seems meant just for that. 
Dances and flutters her little straw hat. 

Dash, full of joy in the bright summer day. 
Zealously chases the robins away. 
Barks at the squirrels, or snaps at the flies. 
All the while Fanny is making mud pies. 

Sunshine and soft summer breezes astir, 
While she is busy, are busy with her; 
Cheeks rosy glowing and bright sparkling eyes 
Bring they to Fanny, while making mud-pies. 

Dollies and playthings are all laid away. 
Not to come out till the next rainy day; 
Under the blue of these sweet summer skies 
Nothing's so pleasant as making mud-pies. 



NOVEMBER. 269 

Gravely she stirs, with a serious look 
"Making believe" she's a true pastry cook; 
Sundry brown splashes on forehead and eyes 
Show that our Fanny is making mud-pies. 

But all the soil of her innocent play 

Soap and clean water will soon wash away; 

Many a pleasure in daintier guise 

Leaves darker traces than Fanny's mud-pies. 



NOVEMBER. 

Oh! dear old dull November, 

They don't speak well of you. 
They say your winds are chilling, 

Your skies are seldom blue. 
They tell how you go sighing 

Along the leafless trees, 
You have no warmth or brightness — 

All kinds of things like these. 

But dearie me! November, 

They quite forgot to speak 
About the wealth of color 

On each round apple's cheek. 
How yellow is each pumpkin 

That in the meadow lies, 
Almost as good as sunshine, 

And better still for pies. 

Why, yes, dear old November, 
You've lots of pleasant things; 

All through the month we're longing 
To taste your turkey wings! 



270 A FRIEND IN NEED. 



What if you're dull a trifle 

Or just a little gray, 
If not for you we'd never have 

Dear old Thanksgiving Day. 



A FRIEND IN NEED. 

The other sheep have all gone on, 
The sheep boy never looks behind ; 

And here you sit, so tired and wan. 
Poor thing, with none to care or mind. 

You don't quite like the dusty road, 
And all the busy fold that pass ; 

You're thinking of some stream that flowed 
So cool and fresh, through meadow grass. 

Look here, then — see, I've come to bring 
A draught of water, sweet and clear 

(It really is a handy thing, 
That drinking-fountain just near here ). 

Tm glad I had my Sunday hat, 
The other one would never do ; 

There is no crown at all to that. 
This only lets a little through I 

I know of such a lovely place 

Beyond the town, where meadows lie ; 
And when you're ready for a race, 

We'll go and fmd it, you and I. 

There's no one there that can annoy. 
Or see my shoes so old and worn. 



A FRIEND IN NEED. 

Or call me " little beggar boy," 
And point to where my coat is torn. 

I'll be your shepherd kind and true, 
And never let you go astray ; 

I'll whistle merry tunes to you, 
You'll nibble at the grass all day. 



271 




LOOK HERE, THEN— SEE, I'VE COME TO BRING A DRAUGHT OF WATER, SWWET AND CLEAR." 



And when the night comes down in peace, 

And stars are peeping from the sky, 
My head upon your soft, soft fleece — 

We'll rest together, you and I. 

Ellis Walton. 



272 CHRISTMAS ON THE ''POLLY." 

CHRISTMAS ON THE "POLLY." 

It was the good ship " Polly," and she sailed the wintry sea, 
For ships must sail, tho' fierce the gale, and a precious freight had she; 
'Twas the captain's little daughter that stood beside her father's chair. 
And illumed the dingy cabin with the sunshine of her hair. 

With a yo-heave-ho, and a yo-heave-ho! 

For ships must sail 

Tho' fierce the gale 
And loud the tempests blow. 

The captain's fingers rested on the pretty, curly head. 
"To-morrow will be Christmas day," the little maiden said; 
"Do you suppose that Santa Claus will find us on the sea. 
And make believe the stove-pipe is a chimney — just for me?" 

Loud laughed the jovial captain, and "By my faith," he cried, 
"If he should come we'll let him know he has a friend inside!" 
And many a rugged sailor cast a loving glance that night 
At the stove-pipe where the lonely little stocking fluttered white. 

With a yo-heave-ho, and a yo-heave-hol 

For ships must sail 

Tho' fierce the gale 
And loud the tempests blow. 

On the good ship "Polly" the Christmas sun looked down, 
And on a smiling little face beneath a golden crown, 
No happier child he saw that day, on sea or on the land, 
Than the captain's little daughter with her treasures in her hand. 

For never was a stocking so filled with curious things! 

There were bracelets made of pretty shells, and rosy coral strings; 

An elephant carved deftly from a bit of ivory tusk, 

A fan, an alligator's tooth, and a little bag of musk. 



" IF I IVEKE Your 273 

Not a tar aboard the "Polly" but felt the Christmas cheer, 
For the captain's little daughter was to every sailor dear. 
They heard a Christmas carol in the shrieking wintry gust, 
For a little child had touched them by her simple, loving trust. 

With a yo-heave-ho, and a yo-heave-hol 

For ships must sail 

Tho' fierce the gale 
And loud the tempests blow. 

Grace F. Cooledge, in "St. Nicholas." 



18 



"IF I WERE YOU." 

How do I look in your collar ? 

How does it suit me, Roy ? 
Suppose I now were a big brave dog, 

And you were a little boy I 

1 should go to sleep in your kennel, 
Outside on the courtyard stones ; 

And you would take me for walks and swims. 
And give me biscuits and bones. 

And you would sleep in my bed, Roy, 
And eat with my fork and spoon : 

It isn't easy to hold them right, 
But Fm sure you would learn it soon. 

And you would have to learn reading. 

And learn how the figures go 
Up to 12 times 12 — 1 forget what that is — 

1 always forget, you know. 

Would you forget, I wonder ? 

When your paws got inky and black. 



274 A RHYMh. FOR A RAIhJY DAY. 

1 believe yoird cry sometimes, and wish 
For your dog-days to come back. 

And I'm sure if I lived in a kennel, 

And wore a collar like this, 
I should never have kisses, or sweets, or toys, 

So perhaps ifs best as it is ! 

E. N. 



A RHYME FOR A RAINY DAY. 

With pitter-patter, pitter-patter on my window pane, 
Tapped chipper little visitors, the tiny drops of rain; 
They did not ask to enter, but in liquid tones I heard 
This story, which, as told to me, I tell you word for word: 

"Within a cool, deep well we lived, quite happy, side by side, 
Until an empiy bucket came, and asked us out to ride; 
Then springing in, away we went, drawn up into the air, 
And a pretty china pitcher stood waiting for us there. 

"Beneath that pitcher's brim we thought much happiness to see; 
But soon a lump of ice popped in, with whom we can't agree. 
For though ice claimed relationship before it married frost. 
With such a hard, cold-hearted thing all sympathy is lost. 

" Ice tried to steal our heat away, but air was on our side. 
And when it felt how cold we were, it just sat down and cried; 
You might have seen the tears upon the pitcher where they prest, 
Till ice itself was forced to melt, and mingle with the rest. 

" But next I have to tell you of a most amazing thing, — 
Above a blazing fire we were made to sit and sing. 
Till bubbles brought the message up, that heat would set us free; 
When, boiling hard, we just steamed off, and gained our liberty! . 




A MERRY TRIO. 
275 



276 A CHRISTMAS DAY DREAM. 

"We bounded off with motion swift, but met a colder wind, 
Which blew so fast that everything grew cloudy to our mind. 
We cared not to go higher then, we felt a heavy chill. 
And down we came quite suddenly upon your window sill." 

Now little people everywhere, there is a saying old 

That "Truth lies at the bottom of the well;' and we make bold 

To say: Within this bucketful of water you may find 

Some grains of truth drawn up to store within each busy mind. 

St. NiCHOLAS. 



A CHRISTMAS DAY DREAM. 

For years 1 have been haunted by a day-dream of a Christmas 
morning when in all our great rushing, wonderful cities, there should 
not be a single hungry, cold, or neglected child; when we could know 
that it was a merry Christmas morning to all the children ; more than 
this, when not a single human being in our midst would be cold or 
hungry, or, what is worse, friendless. 

I have dreamed of a true holiday week, during which every church, 
parlor, and kitchen in the city would be warmed, lighted and filled 
with heart-felt welcoming cheer, where every great organ would be 
beguiled of its sweetest notes for the benefit of all who would listen. 

Think how blessed it would be to know that every pair of little 
feet would be warmly clothed, and all little childish fingers snugly mit- 
tened ; yes, and that each little girly heart had a " dolly all her own," 
and that every boy was the proud possessor of a pair of skates. 

Such a work as this is possible. There is enough money, enough 
time, strength and love to accomplish it. And who can estimate the 
good results of such a festival of love, or realize the value of such an 
object lesson? 

Let us hope that the time will come when all hearts can be made 
glad. Let us remember also that this work must be accomplished 
slowly. Suppose you, my little children, think about this, and save 



07R 



THE MUSHROOM FAIRIES. 



your pennies for next Xmas, so as to make happy the Httle boys and 
girls around you who have no papas and mammas to provide them with 
comforts. A toy, a pair of shoes, a jacket which you may have used, 
and v/hich is still warm, will give a sparkling eye and a happier heart 
than you can imagine ; if the recipient is made to feel it is all his own, 
and given in love. 



THE MUSHROOM FAIRIES. 

Many, many years ago. 
Shining in the morning dew. 

Where the mushrooms used to grow 
In a tleld we knew. 

Fairies in a circle bright 

Had been dancing round and round, 
Hand-in-hand, with footsteps light. 

Where these rings were found. 

When the world was wrapped in sleep, 
They were bold enough, no doubt — 

When the stars began to peep, 
And the moon was out. 

Once five fairies, by mischance, 

After all the rest had gone. 
At the dawn in joyful dance 

Still were sporting on. 

Two stout boots, immense and black, 
Scattering the drops of dew 

Right and left along their track. 
Near and nearer drew 1 — 



HANGING THE STOCKINGS. 

There, beneath the mushroom's shade, 
Huddled close, as you may guess. 

Till the vision passed they staid, 
Filled with sore distress. 



279 




"THERE, BENEATH THE MUSHROOM'S SHADE, HUDDLED CLOSE, AS YOU MAY GUESS." 

When the giant's heavy tread, 

Fainter growing, died away, 
Back to Fairyland they sped, 

With white cheeks that day. 

J. R. Eastwood. 



HANGING THE STOCKINGS. 
Three little worsted stockings hanging all in a row, 
And I have patched two scarlet heels, and darned a crimson toe. 
Over the eyes of azure, over the eyes of brown. 
Seemed as though the eyelids could never be coaxed down. 

1 sang for a good long hour before they were shut quite tight; 
For tormorrow will be Christmas, and St. Nick comes to-night; 
We laughed as we dropped the candies into heel and toe, 
For not one little stocking was missing from the row. 



280 A GUESS FOR THE CHILDREN. 



And when our work was ended, we stood a little apart, 
Silently praying the Father to soothe that mother's heart 
Who looks on her unworn stockings amid her falling tears, 
Whose darling is keeping Christmas in Christ's eternal years. 



A GUESS FOR THE CHILDREN. 

Children, there's somebody coming, 
So try to think sharply and well. 

And when I get through with my story 
Just see if his name you can tell. 

His hair is white as the snowdrift, 

But then he is not very old; 
His coat is of fur at this season. 

The weather, you know, is so cold. 

He'll bring all the children a present. 
The rich, and I hope, too, the poor; 

Some say he comes down the chimney; 
I think he comes in at the door. 

His coat is all stuffed full of candy, 
While all sorts of beautiful toys 

You'll see sticking out of his pockets. 
For girls just as well as for boys. 

And presents he brings for the mothers, 
And fathers and aunts with the rest; 

But most he will bring for the children, 
Because he likes little folks best. 

I think you will know when you see him, 
He is dressed up so funny and queer. 

And you'll hear every one shouting, - 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Yearl 



CHRISTMAS. 281 

CHRISTMAS. 
Oh! the dawn of the Christmas morningl 

Oh! the ring of the Christmas bells! 
Oh! the joy and the loving gladness 

Which the song of the steeple tells. 
Oh! the laugh of the happy children ! 

Oh! the shine of their sparkling eyes! 
Opening out of the night-time's shadow 

Into the light of the Christmas skies. 
Oh! the rows of the stockings hanging, 

Brimming full of the dainty toys ! 
Oh! the hurry, the rush, the scramble, 

Here and there, of the girls and boys! 
Dear old Santa! a thousand welcomes 

Greet thee ever throughout the land; 
Thou who goest with mirth and gladness, 

Songs and merriment hand in hand. 
Oh! ye steeples, be ever ringing 

Your glad song of the Christmas time; 
And the music of children's voices 

Soft and sweet with the bells will chime. 
"Peace on earth and good will!" aye tell it 

Loud and clear from the steeple's height. 
Till all hearts shall have caught the message 

Born with the Christmas dawn so bright. 



THE SECRET WITH SANTA CLAUS. 

Dear Santa Claus, up in the chimney. 
Won't you please listen to me ? 

Nurse put me in bed so early, 
I ain't a bit sleepy, you see. 



282 



THE SECRET IVITH SANTA CLAUS. 




The big folks are down in the parlor, 

Laughing and making a noise, 
And I cannot sleep just for thinking 

Of Christmas and all the new toys. 

So I've got out of bed, just a minute, 
To tell you — I'll whisper it low — 

The stockings I've hung by the fire 
Are for me — not mamma, you know. 

For mine are so awfully little. 
Dear Santa Claus, don't you see ? 

And I want, oh I so many playthings, 
They won't hold enough for me. 

So I want you to surely remember, 
And fill these as full as you can ; 

'Cause I haven't been very naughty. 
And you're such a nice kind man I 




I like a live doll, if you please, sir, 
That can talk and call me " mamma ; 

Not one that is full of old sawdust. 
As all my other dolls are. 

There ; now I'm through with my secret, 

I must scramble back into bed ; 
But first, Mr. Santa Claus, promise 

You won't tell a word I have said. 

And please, don't forget the big stockings 
Are not for mamma, but for me : 
And please, sir, you'll try to remember. 
To fill them as full as can be 1 



.If 



Mary D. Brine. 



THE HOT ROASTED CHESTNUT. 2S3 

THE HOT ROASTED CHESTNUT. 

A PARODY. 

How dear to my heart is the hot-chestnut vender. 

Who comes with cold weather, and goes with the snowl 
What finds he to do in the summer, I wonder? 

To the North or the South, which way does he go? 
He stands on the corner when chill winds are blowing. 

His fingers alternately burning and cold. 
And stirs up the chestnuts to keep them from burning — 

I wish he would pick out the bad and the old! 
The sweet toothsome chestnut, the brown-covered chestnut, 

The hot roasted chestnut I remember of old! 

The scent of the roasting — what rose can surpass it? 

So fragrant and tempting, the nuts sweet and brown! 
About eleven in the morning I never could pass it, 

With change in my pocket, without coming down. 
How eager I seized on the little tin measure, 

And quick in my pockets the contents did pour. 
No language could tell all the sweets of the treasure; 

Just try it yourself, and you'll quickly want more. 
The tempting ripe chestnut, the soft mealy chestnut, 

The hot roasted chestnut we cherished of yore! 

The home-made Italians from whom we receive it. 

Some male and some female, my blessings to all! 
They may be a nuisance, but I'll not believe it, 

They'd rather roast chestnuts than not work at all. 
Although I'm no longer a dear little urchin, 

I cherish the memory of pleasure so sweet; 
And while in the season I still will keep munchin' 

The hot roasted chestnut with the sweetest of meat. 
The sweet toothsome chestnut, the brown-covered chestnut, 

The hot roasted chestnut that's bought on the street! 

J. Ed. Milliken. 



284 CHRISTMAS DAY. 



CHRISTMAS DAY. 



What's this hurry, what's this tlurry, 

All throughout the house to-day ? 
Everywhere a merry scurry, 

Everywhere a sound of play. 
Something too's the matter, matter, 

Out-of-doors as well as in, 
For the bell goes clatter, clatter, 

Every minute — such a din 1 

Everybody winking, blinking, 

in a queer, mysterious way ; 
What on earth can they be thinking. 

What on earth can be to pay ? 
Bobby peeping o'er the stairway, 

Bursts into a little shout ; 
Kitty, too, is in a fair way. 

Where she hides, to giggle out. 

As "the bell goes cling a-ling-ing 

Every minute more and more. 
And swift feet go springing, springing. 

Through the hallway to the door, 
Where a glimpse of box and pocket, 

And a little rustle, rustle, 
Make such sight and sound and racket — 

Such a jolly bustle, bustle — 

That the youngsters in their places, 

Hiding slily out of sight. 
All at once show shining faces. 

All at once scream with delight. 




A RIDE IN STATE. 

285 



286 THE FALLING LEAl^ES. 

Go and ask them what's the matter, 

What the fun outside and in — 
What the meaning of the clatter, 

What the bustle and the din. 
Hear them, hear them laugh and shout then. 

All together hear them say, 
" Why, what have you been about, then. 

Not to know it's Christmas Day ?" 



THE FALLING LEAVES. 

A blithe red squirrel sat under a tree, 
When the leaves were falling adown, adov/n; 

Some were golden and some were red, 
And some were a russet brown. 

"If only these leaves were nuts," thought he, 

"What a rich little squirrel I should be!" 

A sweet little baby sat under a tree. 
When the leaves were falling adown, adown; 

They fell in his lap, they danced on his toes. 
And they tickled his little bald crown. 

He lifted his arms, and crowed with glee: 

"They're birdies, mamma, all flying to me." 

Some poor little flowers lay under a tree, 
When the leaves were falling adown, adown; 

And they thought of the cold, bleak wintry days, 
And the snow-king's angry frown. 

But the leaves called out, "We're coming, you see, 

To tuck you in as snug as can be." 



NOT APFKLLlATED. 

A shy little bunny sat under a tree, 

But the snow-tlakes were falling adown, adown; 
The v/ise red squirrel had scampered away, 

And the baby had gone to town. 
So he lifted the cover a trifle to see. 
And the flowers were sleeping as sound as could be. 

NOT APPRECIATED. 



287 




"I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO STOP." 

I'm verv fond of drawing; 1 shouldn't know what to do 

Without my slate and pencil, and my box of colors too; 

I can make the nicest drawings that you almost ever saw; 

Indeed, there's hardly anything I don't know how to draw: 

Men and women, little boys and girls, in cloaks and capes and hats; 



288 



TIVO LITTLE ARTISTS. 



Horses and dogs, and sheep and bears, and elephants and cats; 
Wagons and carts, and houses with chimneys on top — 
I'm so very fond of drawing that I don't know where to stop. 
But^Fm sure I don't know why it is: perhaps because I'm small — 
The folks that see my drawings don't know what they are at all! 

Emma A. Opper. 



TWO LITTLE ARTISTS. 

Lucy sat with her pencil against her lips, looking at what she had 
drawn on her new slate. She nodded her head, and said to Ella — 
" Here is the ink-pot, there is the glass of flowers, there is the 

book. I have drawn them 
all, and they are so good that 
I do not know which is best. 
What are you doing?" 

Ella was leaning over 
her slate, and she did not 
look up. She did not say 
anything at first, but Lucy 
saw that two large tears 
were rolling down her 
cheeks. 

"What is the matter?" 
said Lucy. 

"I can't do them. I 
have tried and tried, but I 
cannot draw them right. So I've rubbed them out, and there is noth- 
ing on my slate." 

" I shall make pictures when I am a woman," said Lucy, "and I 
shall sell them for a great deal of money. So I shall be very rich. 
Should you not like to draw pictures for people to buy?" And Lucy 
looked at her slate. 

"Yes," sobbed Ella. Then she said — 
" Let me look at your drawing, Lucy." 

So Lucy gave the slate to Ella, and to her great surprise, Ella left 
off crying, and burst out laughing. 

"I don't call that drawing — they are quite as funny as mine were." 




LUCY SAT WITH HER PENCIL AGAINST HER LIPS. 




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A DRAWING LESSON. 



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296 




ELOCUTIONARY SELECTIONS. 

1st. The highest art in Elocution is to be natural. 

2d. Pure tone covers the great field of ordinary 

conversation, simple narrative, and plain 

description. 
3d. Correct and natural conversation we find 

our purest models from which to copy in 

our reading. 



297 



298 A HERO 



A HERO. 



In the cosy chimney corner, with his rosy cheeks aglow, 

Little Hans was safely sheltered from the driving hail and snow; 

Back and forward went the mother, dropping now and then a word, 

While she paused to rock the cradle, where the year old baby stirred. 

" Yes, my lad," she softly answered to a question of her son, 

" Duty is the best of heroes, duty well and bravely done. 

Never mind how hard ; a hero faces hardness like a man; 

God rewards the boy who ever does the very best he can." 

Came the day when slow and stealthy, all unseen by mortal eyes. 

In the cold northwestern heavens, did a little cloud arise. 

Frowning on the fair horizon, gathering with the angry blast. 

Till the snow came hurtling downward, white and blinding, keen 

and fast. 
Not beside the chimney corner, but in school a mile away. 
Little Hans with sturdy courage faced the dark and bitter day. 
Gold-haired Mabel stood beside him; "1 will take her home," he said, 
Tying close the scarlet hood about the sunny, curly head. 
Well we know the hapless story, how the children struggled on, 
Whirled like driftwood in a torrent, till the wintry light was gone, 
Stumbling, sobbing, praying, calling, in the darkness and the snow. 
While the rescue party sought them, waving torches to and fro ; 
While the mothers at the windows watched and waited, sick with 

dread, 
And the frantic tempest battled, like an army overhead. 
When they found him Hans was sleeping, with a smile upon his face, 
Just as if an angel passing, lowly bent, had kissed the place. 
Holding Mabel's dimpled fmgers very tightly in his own, 
His warm jacket for protection o'er her little shoulders thrown. 
Did the mother-heart remember, grieving for her hero-lad, 
What she said to him of duty ; did she know how well he had 



AN APRIL JOKE. 299 

Done the noblest and the simplest work 'twas given him to do, 
Dying in his happy childhood, while his joyous life was new ? 
Through the fierce Dakota blizzard many a valiant soul and brave, 
Found its way to Him who triumphed once for all above the grave f 
None was stronger, none sublimer than the little hero child, 
Who, in doing what he could, faced a bitter death, and smiled. 



AN= APRIL JOKE. 
Master Ned on the doorstep sat, 

Busily thinking away ; 
"Now, what shall I plan for a clever trick, 

For an April-fool to play ? 
There's Tom he's mean as a boy can be. 

And he never can pass me by 
Without a word that is rude and cross, 

And maybe a punch on the sly. 

"Some trick I'll find that'll pay him off. 

And teach him a lesson, too." 
So master Ned he pondered awhile, 

Till the dimples grew and grew ; 
And he laughed at last as away he ran, 

" I'll make him sorry," thought he, 
" For the many times he has done his best 

To tease and to trouble me." 

On April first with the early dawn, 
Was found at Tommy's door 

A package tied, and " Master Tom " 
The only address it bore. 

" 'Tis only a trick of Ned's," said Tom; 
" He owes me many a one ; 

But I'll match hirn yet— he'd better beware- 
Before the day is done." 



300 [VHERE DO THE WRINKLES COME FROM? 

Then Tom peeped in at his package, 

Oh, what a shamefaced fellow was he ! 
A handsome book, and line which read, 

" Accept this, Tom, from me." 
And this is the way in which Tom was "fooled ;" 

And afterward, meeting Ned, 
" Your trick has beaten all mine for good : 

Forgive me, old fellow," he said. 



WHERE DO THE WRINKLES COME FROM? 

"Where do the wrinkles come from?" 

And joyous little Grace 
Looked gravely in the mirror 

At her rose-tinted face. 

"Where do the wrinkles come from? 

Why first, dear, I suppose, 
The heart lets in a sorrow, 

And then a wrinkle grows. 

"Then anger comes a-tapping, 
And the heart's door opens wide; 

Then hasten naughty envy 
And discontent and pride. 

"And the wrinkles follow slowly; 

For the face has for its part 
To tell just what is doing 

Down in the secret heart. 



IVHERE DO THE WRINKLES COME FROM? 

"And the red lips lose their sweetness, 
And draw down so," said Grace, 

"And the lovely youthful angel 
Goes slowly from the face. 



301 




READY FOR THE PARTY. 



"Watch the gate of the heart, my darling, 
For the heart is the dwelling-place 

Of the magical angel of beauty, 
Whose smile is seen in the face." 



302 



A COBWEB MADE TO ORDER. 



A COBWEB MADE TO ORDER. 



A hungry spider made a web 

Of thread so very fine, 
Your tiny fingers scarce could feel 

The little tender line. 
Round about and round about, 

And round about it spun, 
Straight across, and back again, 

Until the web was done. 




Oh, what a pretty shining 
web 
It was when it was done! 
The little flies all came to see 

It hanging in the sun. 
Round about and round 
about. 
And round about they 
danced. 
Across the web, and back 
again. 
They darted, and the>' 
glanced. 



The hungry spider sat and watched 

The happy little flies; 
It saw all round about its head. 

It had so many eyes. 
Round about and round about. 

And round about they go. 
Across the web, and back again, 

Now high — now low. 



THE YOUNG HUSBAND TO HIS IVIFE. 

" I'm hungry, very hungry," 

Said the spider to a fly. 
" If you were caught within the web 

You very soon should die." 
But round about and round about, 

And round about once more, 
Across the web, and back again. 

They flitted as before. 

' For all the flies were much too wise 

To venture near the spider; 
They flapped their little wings and tlew 

In circles rather wider. 
Round about and round about. 

And round about went they, 
Across the web, and back again. 

And then they flew away. 

/\11U inCU lii^J ^ ^^^^ ^^pj^,^ RHYMES. 



303 



THE YOUNG HUSBAND TO HIS WIFE. 

What do 1 want for breakfast, dear? 
My wants are all in my mind quite clear: 
You, with your cheerful morning smile 
And' a pretty dress, my thoughts to beguile 
Into thinking of flowers; an earnest word 
That will all through my busy day be heard. 
And make me sure that my morning light 
Beams' strongly true e^en while dancing bright. 
Be certain to give me these, all these. 
And anything else that you can or please. 

But dinner, what will I have for that? 
Well dear, when 1 enter, doff my hat, 



304 THE UNFINISHED PRAYER.. 

And turn to the table, I want to see you, 
Standing just as you always do. 
To make me lose all the forenoon's fret 
And cheer for the afternoon work to get. 
Tell me all your news, and I'll tell mine, 
And with love and joy and peace we'll dine. 
Be certain to give me these, all these, 
And anything else that you can or please. 

And what for tea? Have I any choice? 
Yes, dear; the sound of your gentle voice, 
And your gentle presence. I always feel 
The cares of the day like shadows steal 

Away from your soul, light; and evening rest 
Comes just in the way that 1 love best. 
So, when you are planning our twilight tea 
With a special thought in your heart for me, 
Be certain to give me these, all these. 
And anything else that you can or please. 



THE UNFINISHED PRAYER. 

"Now I lay" — repeat it, darling — 

"Lay me," lisped the tiny lips 
Of my daughter, kneeling, bending 

O'er her folded fmger-tips. 

"Down to sleep." "To sleep," she murmured, 

And the curly head bent low ; 
"I pray the Lord," I gently added; 

"You can say it all, I know." 

"Pray the Lord " — the sound came faintly, 
Fainter still, " My soul to keep ;" 




20 



FOR JESUS' SAKE, AMEN. 
305 



306 ROyER IN CHURCH. 

Then the tired head fairly nodded, 
And the child was fast asleep. 

But the dewy eyes half opened 
When I clasped her to my breast, 

And the dear voice softly whispered, 
" Mamma, God knows all the rest." 



ROVER IN CHURCH. 

Twas a Sunday morning in early May, 

A beautiful, sunny, quiet day, 

And all the village, old and young, 

Had trooped to church when the church bell rung. 

The windows were open, and breezes sweet 

Fluttered the hymn-books from seat to seat. 

Even the birds, in the pale-leaved birch. 

Sang as softly as in church! 

Right in the midst of the minister's prayer 
There came a knock at the door. "Who's there, 
I wonder?" the gray-haired sexton thought, 
As his careful ear the tapping caught. 
Rap-rap, rap-rap — a louder sound. 
The boys on the back seats turned around. 
What could it mean? for never before 
Had any one knocked at the old church door. 

Again the tapping, and now so loud, 

The minister paused (though his head was bowedf. 

Rappety-rap! This will never do, 

The girls are peeping, and laughing too! 



ROVER IN CHURCH. 307 

So the sexton tripped o'er the creaking- floor, 
Lifted the latch, and opened the door. 
In there trotted a big black dog, 
As big as a bearl With a solemn jog 

Right up the center aisle he pattered; 
People might stare, it little mattered. 
Straight he went to a little maid. 
Who blushed and hid, as though afraid, 
And there sat down, as if to say, 
" I'm sorry that I was late to-day; 
But better late than never, you know, 
Besides, 1 waited an hour or so, 

"And couldn't get them to open the door, 
Till I wagged my tail and bumped the floor; 
Now, little mistress, I'm going to stay 
And hear what the minister has to say." 
The poor little girl hid her face, and criedl 
But the big dog nestled close to her side, 
And kissed her, dog fashion, tenderly. 
Wondering what the matter could bel 

He sat through the sermon and heard it all, 
The dog being large, and the sexton small. 
As solemn and wise as any one there, 
With a very dignified, scholarly air! 
And instead of scolding, the minister said. 
As he laid his hand on the sweet child's head. 
After the service, "I never kne>v 
Two better list'ners than Rover and you!" 

James Buckham. 



308 



TIME TURNS THE TABLES. 



TIME TURNS THE TABLES. 

Ten years ago, when she was ten, 
I used to tease and scold her; 

I liked her, and she loved me then, 
A boy some five years older. 

I liked her, she would fetch my book, 
Bring lunch to stream or thicket; 

Would oil my gun, or bait my hook, 
And field for hours at cricket. 








She'd mend my cap, or find my whip. 

Ah! but boys' hearts are stony! 
I liked her rather less than "Gyp," 

And far less than my pony. 

She loved me then, though heaven knows why. 

Small wonder had she hated, 
For scores of dolls she's had to cry, 

Whom I decapitated. 

I tore her frocks, I pulled her hair, 

Called "red" the sheen upon it; 
Out fishing I would even dare 

Catch tadpoles in her bonnet. 



GOOD-NIGHT. 309 

Well, now I expiate my crime; 

The Nemesis of fables 
Came after years— to-day Old Time 

On me has turned the tables. 
I'm twenty-five, she's twenty now, 

Dark-eyed, pink-cheeked and bonny, 
The curls are golden round her brow; ' 

She smiles, and calls me "Johnny." 
Of yore I used her Christian name, 
But now, through fate or malice! 
When she is by my lips can't frame 

Five letters to make "Alice." 
I, who could joke with her and tease, 

Stand silent now before her; 
Dumb, through the very wish 'to please, 

A speechless, shy adorer. 
Or, if she turns to me to speak, 

I'm dazzled by her graces; 
The hot blood rushes to my cheek, 

I babble commonplaces. 
She's kind and cool— ah I heaven knows how 

I wish she blushed and faltered; 
She likes me, and I love her now;' 
Dear, dear! how things have altered. 



GOOD-NIGHT. 

"Good-night, -dear mamma," a little girl said 
** I'm gomg to sleep in my trundle-bed ; 
Good-night, dear papa, little brother and sis !" 
And to each one the innocent gave a sweet kiss. 
;; Good-night, little darling," her fond mother said ; 

but remember, before you lie down in your bed 
With a heart full of love, and a tone soft and mild 
lo breathe a short prayer to Heaven, dear child " ' 



310 



GOOD-NIGHT. 

"Oh yes, dear mother T' said the child with a nod, 
"I love, oh, I love to say good-night to Godl" 

Kneeling down, "My father in Heaven," she said, 
" I thank thee for giving me this nice little bed ; 
For though mamma told me she bought it for me, 
She says that everything good comes from Thee ; 




" I thank Thee for keeping me safe through the day ; 
I thank Thee for teaching me, too, how to pray ;" 
Then bending her sweet little head with a nod, 
" Good-night, my dear father, my Maker, and God ; 

"Should I never again on earth ope mine eyes, 
I pray Thee to give me a home in the skies !" 



IVHEN WE IV ERE GIRLS. 3ll 

'Twas an exquisite sight as she meekly l<nelt there, 

With her eyes raised to heaven, her hands clasped in prayer; 

And 1 thought of the time when the Saviour, in love, 
Said, " Of such is the kingdom of heaven above ;" 
And I inwardly prayed that my own heart the while 
Might be cleansed from its bitterness, freed from its guile. 

Then she crept into bed, that beautiful child, 
And was soon lost in slumber, so calm and so mild 
That we listened in vain for the sound of her breath, 
As she lay in the arms of the emblem of death. 



WHEN WE W^ERE GIRLS. 

"Do you mind the Widow Martin's quiltin'? 

Her daughter Sue was a flighty thing ; 
Always laughin', an' tlirtin' an' jiltin'. 

An' wearin' this'n an' t'other's ring. 
She's dead this twenty year, poor creeter: 

She had soft blue eyes an' a head o' curls, 
Seems like the maids an' flowers were sweeter 

When we were girls. 

" How it snowed that day, though 'twas just November I 

Was the quilt 'Log Cabin,' or 'Irish Chain'? 
I have forgot. But I well remember 

The widow's nephew from down in Maine. 
When he shook the cat, he set her yellin'. 

An' bounced her out in about three whirls. 
They had many ways o' fortune-tellin' 

When we were girls. 

" Don't you remember the spellin' battle — 
'Twas summer then, and the weather fine — 

When Polly Jenks spelt 'C-a-t-1, cattle,' 
An' Temp'rance Trimble 'v-i-g-n, vine'? 



312 GOOD AND BETTER. 

But vvhat did it matter, word or letter? 

They had cheeks like roses, teeth like pearL 
Men were the same— no worse, no better 

When we were girls. 

" Twas the master himself that Polly married. 

Why, Jane, what ails ye ? What makes ye sigh ? 
You could not wed while the grandsire tarried; 

So youth, an' roses, an' love went by. 
They tell me Polly is fine and haughty 

In boughten roses, an' boughten pearls, 
An' the master, just the same that taught ye 

When we were girls. 

"Oh, the winter time, full o' rides an' dances ; 

The summer days when we sang and spun; 
The meetin'-house, an' the stolen glances 

Across the aisle when the prayer was done ! 
Fifty year since we two were twenty ; 

But it all comes back as the smoke upcurls— - 
The joy, an' hope, an' love, an' plenty 

When we were girls. 



GOOD AND BETTER. 

A father sat by the chimney-post 
On a winter's day, enjoying a roast ; 
By his side a maiden young and fair, 
A girl with a wealth of golden hair ; 
And she teases the father stern and cold, 
With a question of duty trite and old,— 
" Say, father, what shall a maiden do 
When a man of merit comes to woo ? 
And, father, what of this pain in my breast ? 
Married or single—which is the best ?" 




313 



314 ' THE HUSKIN'. 



Then the sire of the maiden young- and fair. 
The girl with the wealth of golden hair, 
He answers as ever do fathers cold, 
To the question of duty trite and old, 
" She who weddeth keeps God's letter: 
She who weds not, doeth better." 
Then meekly answered the maiden fair, 
The g:irl with the wealth of golden hair, 
" I'll keep the sense of the holy letter, 
Content to do well without doing better." 



THE HUSKIN'. 

Ole "Cross-roads Brown," he give a bee, 

An' 'vited all the neighbors. 
Until a rig'ment fought his corn, 

With huskin'-pegs fur sabers. 

The night was clear as Em Steele s eyes, 
The moon as mild as Nancy's, 

The stars was winkin 's if they knowed 
All 'bout our loves and fancies. 

The breeze was sharp, an' braced a chap, 
Like Minnie Silver's laughin'; 

The cider in the gallon jug 
Was jes tip-top fur quaftnV. 

The gals sung many a ole-time song. 

Us boys a-jinin' chorus— 
We'd no past shames to make us sad. 

Nor dreaded ones afore us. 



THE H US KIN'. 3l5 



The shock was tumbled on the ground, 
Each one its own direction, 

An' ears was droppin' all around, 
Like pennies at collection. 

On one side o' the shock a boy, 
His sweetheart on the other, 

A kind o' timid like an' coy, 
But not so very, nuther. 

The fodder rustles dry and clean, 
The husks like silver glisten, 

The ears o' gold shine in between, 
As if they try to listen. 

An' when a red ear comes to light, 
Like some strange boy a-blushin'. 

The gal she gives a scream o' fright. 
An' jukes her pardner, rushin' 

To git a kiss, the red ear's prize, 
Till, conquered most completely, 

She lifts her lips and brightened eyes, 
And gives him one so sweetly. 

They had a shock off from the rest — 

Tom Fell an' Lizzie Beyer, 
An' Tom he wouldn't say a word, 

Got mute in getting nigh her. 

But Liz, she knowed jes by his move, 
Tom loved her like tarnation. 

An' every time she said a word, 
She seen him blush carnation. 



516 LEEDLE YAIVCOB STRAUSS. 

She seen him husk the red ears out. 

The bashful, fooHsh fellow, 
As if each red one wasn't worth 

A dozen piles o' yellow. 

Their shock was jes 'bout finished up, 

An' Liz was busy twistin' 
A great big ear, to get it off, 

An' it was still resistin', 

Until she said, "Do break it, Tom," 

She didn't know she hed one. 
Till lookin' down she blushed an' cried, 

"Oh 1 gracious, Tom, 't's a red one !" 

An' Tom he gave her such a kiss — 
Stretched out 'twould make me twenty, 

An' all that night, in all their shocks. 
Red ears seemed mighty plenty. 

Will F. McSpariu->c. 



LEEDLE YAWCOB STRAUSS. 

I haf von funny leedle poy 

Vot gomes schust to my knee, — 

Der queerest schap, der createst rogue 

As ever you did see. 

He runs, und schumps, und schmashes dings 

In all barts off der house. 

But vot off dot? He vas mine son, 

Mine leedle Yawcob Strauss. 

He get der measels und der mumbs, 
Und eferyding dot's oudt; 



LEEDLE YAiVCOB STRAUSS. 347 

He sbills mine glass ob lager bier, 

Foots schnuflf indo mine kraut; 

He fills mine pipe mit Limburg cheese — 

Dot vos der roughest chouse. 

I'd dake dot vrom no oder poy 

But leedle Yawcob Strauss. 

He dakes der milk-ban for a dhrum, 

Und cuts mine cane in dwo 

To make der schticks to beat it mit — 

Mine cracious, dot vas drue! 

I dinks mine head vas schplit abart 

He kicks oup such a touse; 

But nefer mind, der poys was few 

Like dot young Yawcob Strauss. 

He asks me questions sooch as dese — 

Who baints mine nose so red? 

Who vas it cuts dot schmoodth blace ou>t 

Vrom der hair ubon mine hed? 

Und vhere der plaze goes vrom der lamp 

Vene'er der glim I douse? 

How gan I all dese dings eggsblain 

To dot schmall Yawcob Strauss? 

I somedimes dink I schall go vild 

Mit sooch a grazy poy, 

Und vish vonce more I gould have rest 

Und beaceful dimes enshoy. 

But ven he vas ashleep in ped, 

So quiet as a mouse, 

I brays der Lord, "Dake anydings, 

But leaf dot Yawcob Strauss." 

Charles F. Adams. 



318 



A PICTURE. 



A PICTURE. 

The farmer sat in his easy chair 

Smoking his pipe of clay, 
While his hale old wife, with busy care, 

Was clearing the dinner away; 
A sweet little girl with fine blue eyes. 
On her grandfather's knee was catching flies. 

The old man laid his hand on her 

head. 
With a tear on his wrinkled 

face; 
He thought ho\y often her mother 

dead 
Had sat in the self-same place. 
As the tear stole down from his 

half-shut eye, 
"Don't smoke," said the child, 

"how it makes you cry!" 

The house-dog lay stretched out 
on the floor, 
Where the shade after noon 
used to steal; 

The busy old wife, by the open door, 

Was turning the spinning wheel; 
An' the old brass clock on the mantel-tree 
Had plodded along to almost three. 

Still the farmer sat in his easy chair. 
While close to his heaving breast 

The moistened brow and the cheek so fair 
Of his sweet grandchild were prest; 

His head, bent down, on her soft hair lay: 

Fast asleep were they both that summer day 




LITTLE AGNES' MISTAKE. 



TH^O FISHERS. 3l9 

THE CHILD MUSICIAN. 

He had played for his lordship's levee, 

He had played for her ladyship's whim, 
Till the poor little head was heavy, 

And the poor little brain would swim. 

And the face grew peaked and eerie, 
• And the large eyes strange and bright, 
And they said, too late, " He is weary 1 
He shall rest for, at least, to-night !" 

But at dawn, when the birds were waking. 

As they watched in the silent room. 
With the sound of a strained chord breaking, 

A something snapped in the gloom. 

Twas the string of his violoncello, 

And they heard him stir in his bed ; 
"Make room for a tired little fellow, 

Dear God I" was the last that he said. 

Austin Dobson. 



TWO FISHERS. 

One morning when Spring was in her teens- 

A morn to a poet's wishing, 
All tinted in delicate pinks and greens — 

Miss Bessie and I went fishing. 

I in my rough and easy clothes. 
With my face at the sun-tan's mercy ; 

She with her hat tipped down to her nose, 
And her nose tipped — vice versa. 



520 • FAMILIAR TALK. 

I with my rod, my reel, and my hooks, 
And a hamper for lunching recesses ; 

She with the bait of her comely looks. 
And the seine of her golden tresses. 

So we sat us down on the sunny dike, 
Where the white pond-lilies teeter. 

And I went fishing like quaint old Ike, 
And she like Simon Peter. 

All the noon 1 lay in the light of her eyes, 
And dreamily watched and waited, 

But the fish were cunning, and would not rise, 
And the baiter alone was baited. 

And when the time of departure came, 

My bag hung flat as a flounder ; 
But Bessie had neatly hooked her game — 

A hundred-and-fifty pounder. 

Harper's Weekly. 



FAMILIAR TALK. 

The kettle began it! Don't tell me what Mrs. Perry bingle said; 1 
know better. Mrs. Perrybingle may leave it on record till the end of 
time that she couldn't say which of them began it, but I say the kettle 
did; I ought to know, I hope. 

Cheerily, then, my little man, 
Live and laugh as boyhood can! 

O, the spring, the beautiful spring! 
She shineth and smileth on everything. 



FAMILIAR TALK. 321 

Ho, ho! ha, ha! the merry fire ! 
It sputters and it crackles! 

Snap, snap! flash, flash! 

Old oak and ash 
Send out a million sparkles. 

Tis education forms the common mind; 
Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined. 
On a bridge I was standing, one morning, 

And watching the current roll by. 
When suddenly into the water 

There fell an unfortunate fly. 

"Ho! ho!" 
Said the crow; 
"So I'm not s'posed to know 
Where the rye and the wheat 
And the corn-kernels grow — 

Oh! no! 

Ho! ho! 

He! he! 
Farmer Lee, 

When 1 fly from my tree. 
Just you see where the tops 
Of the corn-ears will be; 

Watch me! 

He! he!" 

Switch-swirch, 

With a lurch, 
Flopped the bird from his perch. 

As he spread out his wings 
And set forth on his search — 

His search — 

Switch-swirch. 



21 



322 A NEIV YEAR'S RESOLVE. 

Click! bang! 

How it rang; 
How the small bullet sang, 

As it sped through the air- 
And the crow, with a pang, 

Went spang, 

Chi-bang! 

Now know. 
That to crow 
Often brings one to woe; 
And so. 
Don't crow! 



A NEW YEAR'S RESOLVE. 

Good-bye, old year. You might, perhaps, 
Have treated me a little better. 

You might have softened some hard raps, 
You might have eased up on some better. 

And yet if Td bestowed more thought,. 
Had tasted more of self denial. 

More happiness I might have bought. 
And stronger might I be for trial. 

If I'd return but half the bliss 
That others gave me for my folly, 

I would not now feel so amiss, 

And steeped in New Year's melancholy. 

Had I repaid in golden grains 
Of charity, so much of kindness, 

I rnight not now have mental pains 
Upbraiding me for all my blindness. 



IVHAT HE SAID. 32 J 

Therefore, resolved, I'll start anew 

(Fll try how sweet unselfish bliss is) 
To pay my debts (1 mean it, too) ; 

I'll take right back to Maud her kisses. 

Tom Massow. 



WHAT HE SAID. 

"The wife for me," said he, said he, 

As he gave his moustache a curl, 
With a look that he meant should be eloquent, 

"Is the good old-fashioned girl. 
The girl who wakes when the morning breaks 

As fresh as the dew is sweet. 
Who bread can make, or broil a steak 

Fit for a man to eat. 

"She must be wise to economize — " 

As he lighted a cigarette — 
Pretty and neat from head to feet, 

With a horror of waste or debt. 
For economy," said he, said he, 

"Of virtues the very pearl. 
Was always found to well abound 

In the good old-fashioned girl. 

"Pure must she be," said he, said he, 

"As the snow, and all the while, 
Must be warm and true as the skies are blue. 

With a soul that is free from guile. 
And she must give me," said he, said he. 

As he gave his cane a twirl, 
"The whole, not part, of her loving heart. 

Like a good old-fashioned girl." 



324 IVHAT SHE SAID. 

"And yet, and yet, I should much regret. 

If learning she lacked, or wit; 
If she could not unite quick thought and bright 

With speech that was fair and fit. 
For of course you see," said he, said he, 

"It would put me to open scorn. 
If anywhere she should lack the air 

Of one to the manner born. 

"Yes, this," said he, "is the wife for me, 

I've quite made up my mind; 
But when shall 1 see the face," said he, 

"Of the girl that I fain would fmd?" 
A glance he bent that he vainly meant 

Should set her true heart awhirl. 
As he asked again, "O tell me when, 

When will I find this girl ?" 

WHAT SHE SAID. 

"When will you find this girl," said she, 

"This girl whom you call old fashioned, 
This marvel of muscle and heart and head, 

Practical, shy, impassioned ? 
I do not know, but I think you can. 

If faithful and fond your trying, 
About the time that I find the man 

For whom my soul is sighing. 

"When I find that wonder of manhood 

Who can rise when the day is breaking 
And saw and split and bring in the wood 

For the good wife's daily baking. 
Who can build the fire, the field can plow. 

Can sow the grain and reap it; 
Who having gold in his purse knows how 

Wisely to keep and use it. 



THAT LINE FENCE. 325 

"Who can buy and sell and just as well 

Paint pictures or write a sermon; 
And then at night with the season's belle, " 

With gay step lead the german. 
Whose speech is brave and pure and sweet, 

Swift confidence compelling, 
Whose true heart is a temple meet 

For love's supreme indwelling. 

"I think you will fmd — so 1 should judge — 

Your pattern of love and duty, 
Your cook and laundress and household drudge, 

Yti the lady of grace and beauty, 
About the time — or my judgment errs — 

When I fmd— by his own confessing — 
The man who can match each gift of hers, 

With those of his own possessing." 

"Ah," he said, "what a fool I've been!" 

She smiled in a sweet agreeing, 
"There's been a wonderful light let in 

Somehow on my mental being; 
I'll cease my search for the girl," said he, 

"And thanks for your just reminder." 
I think 'tis the thing to do," said she, 

"Until you are fit to find her." 

Carlotta Perry. 



THAT LINE FENCE. 

Old Farmer Smith came home in a miff 

From his field the other day. 
While his sweet little wife, the pride of his life, 

At her wheel was spinning away. 



326 THAT LINE FENCE. 

And ever anon a gay little song 
With the buzz of her wheel kept time ; 

And his wrathful brow is clearing now, 
Under her cheerful rhyme. 

"Come, come, little Turk, put away your work, 

And listen to what 1 say : 
What can 1 do, but a quarrel brew 

With the man across the way ? 

" i have built my fence, but he won't commence 

To lay a single rail ; 
His cattle get in, and the feed gets thin, — 

I am tempted to make a sale !" 

"Why, John, dear John, how you do go on ! 

I'm afraid it will be as they say." 
"No, no, little wife, I have heard that strife 

In a lawyer's hands don't pay. 

" He is picking a flaw, to drive me to law, 

I am told that he said he would, — 
And you know, long ago, law wronged me so, 
I vowed that 1 never should. 

" So what can I do, that 1 will not rue, 

To the man across the way ?" 
" If that's what you want, I can help you haunt 

That man with a spectre gray. 

"Thirty dollars will do to carry you through, . 

And then you have gained a neighbor ; 
It would cost you more to peep in the door 

Of a court, and as much more labor. 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE POOR IVOMAN. 32»7 

" Just use your good sense — let's build him a fence, 

And shame bad acts out of the fellow." 
They built up his part, and sent to his heart 

Love's dart, where the good thoughts mellow. 

That very same night, by the candle light. 

They opened with interest a letter : 
Not a word was there, but three greenbacks faiF, 

Said, the man was growing better. 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE POOR WOMAN. 

"I'd like to see the President," 

A timid woman said, 
A poor and tidy gown she wore, 

And on her whitening head 
A bonnet, faded as her hair. 
But comely still, with decent care. 

Around, on costly couches, sat 

Statesmen of high degree. 
And, conscious of their greatness, she 

Stood back most patiently. 
Till some coarse menial, with a smile. 
Whispered that she must wait awhile — 

Then muttered "green," with many a wink, 

Till every glance was turned 
On the poor woman, gray and old, 

While hot her thin cheeks burned 
With wounded feelings, griefs and fearj, 
And her dim eyes were filled with tear*. 



328 ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE POOR IVOMAN. 

And still the hours rolled onward — still 
The mighty came and went — 

But all neglected stood the dame. 
Nor saw the President; 
, While those whom fortune favors told 

Their pompous tales of fame and gold. 

And so the sun came fainter down 

Upon the brilliant floor; 
The aged woman started at 

The opening of a door, 
And one who caught her haggard eye 
All sudden stopped, through sympathy. 

"Oh, sir," she said, "these many hours 

I've waited patiently; 
Perhaps the President cannot 

Be seen by such as I; 
I'm poor, and old, and careworn, too, 
And he has burdens not a few." 

The stranger turned— a sudden light 
Seemed kindled in his eye; 

He spoke with kindly tone and mien. 
With gentle gravity — 

"They should have sent you in to me 

Before they did the rest," said he. 

The old dame flushed with quick surprise,- 
Was this the nation's chief? 

This grave, tall man, who, pitying, said, 
"Come — tell me all your grief. 

The poor and needy never went, 

Unaided from the President." 



THE MAGICAL ISLE. 329 

She told her simple tale— he heard 

With royal gentleness; 
Then, as her wrongs his interest woke, 

He promised her redress; 
And, gazing on the silvered head, 
He smiled to see her comforted. 

"Thank God!" and freely fell her tears; 

"Our land is blest," she said, 
" When one who honors poverty 

Stands nobly at its head. 
If an old woman's benison be 
Of any weight or worth to thee, 

"I give it, from a grateful heart. 

And Heaven will surely hear. 
God bless thee, Abraham Lincoln — bless 

All that thou boldest dear. 
And make thee glorious in the land 
Now smitten by the oppressor's hand. 

And make thee strong to dare to do. 

Even though the proud condemn. 
And keep thee honest, brave and true, 

Till thou hast conquered them; 
And ere thou diest thou shalt see 
Through God's good grace, a nation free." 



THE MAGICAL ISLE. 

There's a magical isle in the river of Time, 

Where softest of echoes are straying ; 
And the air is as soft as a musical chime. 
Or the exquisite breath of a tropical clime 
When June v '.i Its roses is swaying. 



330 THE MAGICAL ISLE. 

'Tis where Memory dwells with her pure golden hue, 

And music forever is flowing : 
While the low-murmured tones that come trembling through 
Sadly trouble the heart, yet sweeten it too. 

As the south wind o'er water when blowing. 

There are shadowy halls in that fairy-like isle. 

Where pictures of beauty are gleaming ; 
Yet the light of their eyes, and their sweet, sunny smile. 
Only flash round the heart with a wildering wile. 

And leave us to know 'tis but dreaming. 

And the name of this isle is the Beautiful Past, 

And we bury our treasures all there • 
There are beings of beauty, too lovely to last ; 
There are blossoms of snow, with the dust o'er them cast ; 

There are tresses and ringlets of hair. 

There are fragments of song only memory sings, 
And the words of a dear mother's prayer ; 

There's a harp long unsought, and a lute without strings- 
Hallowed tokens that love used to wear. 

E'en the dead,— the bright, beautiful dead— there arise, 
With their soft, flowing ringlets of gold : 

Though their voices are hushed, and o'er their sweet eyes. 

The unbroken signet of silence now lies, 
They are with us again, as of old. 

In the stillness of night, hands are beckoning us there. 

And, with joy that is almost a pain. 
We delight to turn back', and in wandering there, 
Through the shadowy halls of the island so fair, 

We behold our lost treasures again. 



PVILD LEATHER OUTSIDE. 33l 

Oh ! this beautiful isle, with its phantom-like show, 

Is a vista exceedingly bright : 
And the River of Time, in its turbulent flow, 
Is oft soothed by the voices we heard long ago. 

When the years were a dream of delight. 



WILD WEATHER OUTSIDE. 

Wild weather outside where the brave ships go, 
And fierce from all quarters the four winds blow,— 
Wild weather and cold, and the great waves swell, 
With chasms beneath them as black as hell. 
The waters frolic in Titan play, 
They dash the decks with an icy spray. 
The spent sails shiver, the lithe masts reel, 
And the sheeted ropes are as smooth as steel. 
And oh, that the sailors were safe once more, 
Where the sweet wife smiles in the cottage door. 

The little cottage, it shines afar 

O'er the lurid seas, like the polar star. 

The mariner tossed in the jaws of death 

Hurls at the storm a defiant breath; 

Shouts to his mates through the rising foam, 

"Courage! please God, we shall yet win home I" 

Frozen and haggard, and wan and gray, 

But resolute still, 'tis the sailor's way. 

And perhaps— at the fancy the stern eyes dim — 

Somebody is praying to-night for him. 

Ah, me, through the drench of the bitter rain, 
How bright the picture that rises plain 1 
Sure he can see, with her merry look. 
His little maid crooning her spelling-book; 



332 IVHERE ARE IVICKED FOLKS BURIED? 

The baby crows from the cradel fair; 
The grandam nods in her easy chair; 
While hither and yon, with a quiet grace, 
A woman flits, with an earnest face. 

The kitten purrs, and the kettle sings, 

And a nameless comfort the picture brings. 

Rough weather outside, but the winds of balm 

Forever float o'er that Isle of Calm, 

Oh, friends who read over tea and toast 

Of the wild night's work on the storm-swept coast, 

Think, when the vessels are overdue, 

Of the perilous voyage, the baffled crew. 

Of stout hearts battling for love and home, 

'Mid the cruel blasts and curdling foam. 

And breathe a prayer from your happy lips 

For those who must go "to the sea in ships;" 

Ask that the sailor may stand once more 

Where the sweet wife smiles in the cottage door. 

Margaret E. Sangster. 



WHERE ARE WICKED FOLKS BURIED? 

"Tell me, gray-headed sexton," I said, 
"Where in this field are the wicked folks laid? 
I have wandered the quiet old graveyard through. 
And studied the epitaphs, old and new; 
But on monument, obelisk, pillar or stone 
I read of no evil that men have done." 

The old sexton stood by a grave newly made. 
With his chin on his hand, and his hand on a spade; 
I knew by the gleam of his eloquent eye 
That his heart was instructing his lips to reply: 



^S JACOB SERKED FOR RACHEL. 333 

"Who is to judge when the soul takes its flight? 
Who is to judge 'twixt the wrong and the right? 
Which of us mortals shall dare to say 
That our neighbor was wicked who died to-day. 

"In our journey through life, the farther we speed 
The better we learn that humanity's need 
Is charity's spirit, that prompts us to find 
Rather virtue than vice in the lives of our kind. 

"Therefore, good deeds we record on these stones; 
The evil men do, let it die with their bones. 
I have labored as sexton this many a year, 
But 1 never have buried a bad man here." 



AS JACOB SERVED FOR RACHEL. 

'Twas the love that lightened service I 

The old, old story sweet 
That yearning lips and waiting hearts 

In melody repeat. 
As Jacob served for Rachel 

Beneath the Syrian sky. 
Like golden sands that swiftly drop, 

The toiling years went by. 

Chill fell the dews upon him. 

Fierce smote the sultry sun ; 
But what were cold or heat to him, 

Till that dear wife was won 1 
The angels whispered in his ear, 

"Be patient and be strong 1" 
And the thought of her he waited for 

Was ever like a song. 



334 ^S JACOB SERVED FOR RACHEL 

Sweet Rachel, with the secret 

To hold a brave man leal ; 
To keep him through the changeful years, 

Her own in woe and weal ; 
So that in age and exile, 

The death damp on his face, 
Her name to the dark valley lent 

Its own peculiar grace. 

And "There 1 buried Rachel," 

He said of that lone spot 
In Ephrath, near to Bethlehem, 

Where the wife he loved was not ; 
For God had taken from him 

The brightness and the zest, 
And the heaven above thenceforward kept 

In fee his very best. 

Of the love that lightens service, 

Dear God, how much we see, 
When the father toils the lifelong day 

For the children at his knee ; 
When all night long the mother wakes, 

Nor deems the vigil hard, 
The rose of health on the sick one's cheek 

Her happy heart's reward. 

Of the love that lightens service 

The fisherman can tell, 
When he wrests the bread his dear ones eat 

Where the bitter surges swell ; 
And the farmer in the furrow, 

The merchant in the mart, 
Count little worth their weary toil 

For the treasures of their heart. 




335 



336 THE BROWNIES' KM AS. 

And, reverently we say it. 

Dear Lord, on bended knee, 
For the love that lightened service most 

The pattern is with Thee. 
Oh, the love, the love of Heaven, 

That bowed our load to bear ; 
The love that mounted to the cross, 

And saved the sinner there ! 

What shall we give ? How offer 

Our small returns, to tell 
That we have seen the Saviour, 

And are fain to serve Him well ? 
Take, Lord, our broken spirits. 

And have them for Thine own ; 
And as the bridegroom with the bride, 

Reign Thou, with us alone. 

As Jacob served for Rachel 

Beneath the Syrian sky ; 
And the golden sands of toiling years 

Went sailing swiftly by. 
The thought of her was music 

To cheer his weary feet; 
Twas love that lightened service. 

The old, old story sweet. 



THE BROWNIES' XMAS. 

The Brownie who lives in the forest, 
Oh, the Christmas bells they ringl 

He has done for the farmer's children 
Full many a kindly thing: 



22 



THE BROIVNIES' KM AS. 337 

When their cows were lost in the gloaming 

He has driven them safely home; 
He has led their bees to the flowers, 

To fill up their golden comb; 

At her spinning the little sister 

Had napped till the setting sun — 
She awoke, and the kindly Brownie 

Had gotten it neatly done; 

Oh, the Christmas bells they are ringingi 

The mother she was away, 
And the Brownie'd played with the baby 

And tended it all the day; 

Tis true that his face they never 

For all their watching could see; 
Yet who else did the kindly service, 

I pray, if it were not he I 

But the poor little friendly Brownie, 

His life was a weary thing; 
For never had he been in holy church 

And heard the children sing; 

And never had he had a Christmas; 

Nor had bent in prayer his knee; 
He had lived for a thousand years, 

And all weary-worn was he. 

Or that was the story the children 

Had heard at their mother's side; 
And together they talked it over, 

One merry Christmas-tide. 



338 THE BROWNIES ' XMAS. 

The pitiful little sister 
With her braids of paly gold, 

And the little elder brother, 
And the darling five-year-old, 

All stood in the western window— 
Twas toward the close of day— 

And they talked about the Brownie 
While resting from their play. 

" The Brownie, he has no Christmas," 
The dear little sister said. 

And a-shaking as she spoke 
Her glossy, yellow head; 

'The Brownie, he has no Christmas; 

While so many gifts have. we. 
To the floor last night they bended 

The boughs of the Christmas-tree." 

Then the little elder brother, 
He spake up in his turn. 

With both of his blue eyes beaming, 
While his cheeks began to burn: 

"Let us do up for the Brownie 
A Christmas bundle now, 

And leave it in the forest pathway 
Where the great oak branches bow. 

"We'll mark it, 'For the Brownie,' 
And 'a Merry Christmas Day!' 

And sure will he be to fmd it. 
For he goeth home that way." 



THE BROIVNIES' XMAS. 339 

Then the tender little sister 

With her braids of paly gold, 
And the little elder brother, 

And the darling five-year old. 

Tied up in a little bundle 

Some toys, with a loving care, 
And marked it "For the Brownie," 

In letters large and fair, 

And "We wish a Merry Christmas!" 

And then, in the dusk, the three 
Went to the wood and left it 

Under the great oak tree. 

While the farmer's fair little children 

Slept sweet on that Christmas night, 
Two wanderers through the forest 

Came in the clea-r moonlight. 

And neither one was the Brownie, 

But sorry were both as he; 
And their hearts with each fresh footstep, 

Were aching steadily. 

A slender man with an organ 

Strapped on by a leathern band, 
And a girl with a tambourine 

A-holding close to his hand. 

And the girl with a tambourine. 

Big sorrowful eyes she had. 
In the cold white wood she shivered 

In her ragged raiment clad. 



540 THE BROWNIES' KM AS. 

" And what is there here to do ?" she said; 

" I'm froze i' the light o' the moon I 
Shall we play to these sad old forest trees, 

Some merry and jigging tune ? 

"And, father, you know it is Christmas-time, 

And had we stayed i' the town, 
And I gone to one o' the Christmas-trees, 

A gift might have fallen down 1 

**You cannot certainly know it would not! 

I'd ha' gone right under the tree 1 
Are you sure that none o' the Christmases 

Were meant for you or me ?" 

"These dry dead leaves," he answered her, sad, 
" Which the forest casteth down, 

Are more than you'd gti from a Christmas-tree 
In the merry and thoughtless town. 

"Though to-night be Christ's own birthday night, 

And all the world hath grace, 
There is not a home in all the world 

Which holdeth for us a place." 

Slow plodding adown the forest path, 
"And now, what is this ?" he said ; 

And the children's bundle he lifted up, 
And " For the Brownie," read. 

And "We wish a Merry Christmas Day I" 
"Now if this be done," said he, 

"Somewhere in the world perhaps there is 
A place for you and me 1" 



THE BWIVNIES ' XMAS. 341 

And the bundle he opened softly : 

"This is children's tender thought ; 
Their own little Christmas presents 

They have to Brownie brought. 

" If there liveth such tender pity 

Toward a thing so dim and low, 
There is kindness sure remaining 

Of which 1 did not know. 

"Oh children, there's never a Brownie — 

That sorry uncanny thing ; 
But nearest and next are the homeless 

When the Christmas joy-bells ring." 

Out laughed the little daughter, 

And she gathered the toys with glee , 
"My Christmas present has fallen I 

This oak was my Christmas-tree 1" 

Then away they went through the forest, 

The wanderers, hand in hand ; 
And the snow, they were both so merry, 

It glinted like golden sand. 

Down the forest the elder brother, 

In the morning clear and cold. 
Came leading the little sister, 

And the darling five-year-old. 

" Oh," he cries, " he's taken the bundle !" 

As carefully round he peers ; 
" And the Brownie has gotten a Christmas 

After a thousand years 1" 



342 y4fR CASTLES, 



AIR CASTLES. 



A girl is standing with careless feet 
At the point where the brook and the river meet; 
In her eyes there gleams a lambent fire 
As the castle she's building, towers higher. 
" I will earn," said she to herself, "a name 
That will make the world acknowledge its fame; 
On my head shall be placed the laurel crown 
That the Muses wreathe for their favored own; 
I will visit the lands of story and song; 
In the palace of Genius I'll tarry long. 
There will come to me a lover as bold 
And as strong as the fabled princes of old; 
And in his brave heart the first I'll be, 
For true beauty and grace in me he'll see. 
Thus smooth shall I weave my web of life, 
With love to untangle its cares and strife." 

In a vine-wreathed casement stands a bride; 

Her brown eyes shine with loving pride 

As afar she sees the manly form 

Of the one whose heart for her beats warm. 

And she dreams a dream as she waits him there 

Which more than a poem, is even a prayer; 

And the angel Sandalphon wafts it on 

Till it reaches up to the great white throne. 

"I care not for princes of olden story. 

Nor for palaces grand, nor for fame or glory; 

But give me a cot with its vine-clad door 

And the glinting sunshine warm on the floor, 

With the dear ones' voices when day is done. 

And its duties are ended, one by one. 



AIR CASTLES. M3 

All these will be dearer by far to me 
Than the castles I dreamed of once could be. 
And many a crown come to me unsought 
That by love's labors shall be wrought; 
This sphere in life is the one I would fill,— 
A faithful wife, through good and ill." 

A mother is sitting with busy hand 

At the door where the bride's fair face was fanned 

By the long ago breezes that came through the vine 

Which had clambered there, and doth still entwine 

The door, where now children with busy feet 

Pass in and out: and their voices sweet 

Ring loud and clear on the evening air, 

To greet the mother who toileth there. 

The work drops out of her hands so worn, 

And a far-away look in her eyes is born, 

While her thoughts go back to the time passed by, 

When her girlhood's castles loomed so high. 

With a sigh she says to herself, " For me 

No crown awaits from the laurel tree. 

But in my children my life I live, 

And 'tis sweeter far than fame could give." 

Her eyes grow bright again with joy 

As she dreams of a crown for her darling boy. 

And she murmurs, "Ah, mel 'tis better so, 

That the web of my life such a pattern should grow." 

The grandam sits in her easy chair 

With the sunlight soft on her silver hair. 

And thus she speaks to the bonny throng 

Of maidens fair, and youths so strong. 

Who have gathered about her to heed the thought 

Of wisdom that comes to a long life fraught 



344 THE NEW CHURCH DOCTRINE. 

With happy faith, and with loving deeds 

For each whose path such comfort needs. 

"hi the days of our youth our dreams are bright. 

For life is filled with spring-time light, 

And we build gay castles with towers grand, 

With self as the monarch to rule the land. 

But, my children dear, our lives grow on, 

And the castles fade out of them, one by one. 

But if we obey the commandment golden, 

That is told us in language sweet and olden, 

Their places will fill with thoughts like beatis 

From the sun, and we'll know our castles were dreams. 

And our lives will grow wider, and still more wide, 

Till we reach our home on the 'other side.' " 

The sweet voice stops and the dim eyes close. 
To the tired mind comes a dream of repose; 
'Tis a dream of heaven so clear and bright 
That the earth life is filled with its glorious light, 
And it brings the sweet call of "Peace, well done," 
To the life whose web for self was begun, 
But whose pattern changed as the years rolled on, 
And was woven for others at set of sun. 



THE NEW CHURCH DOCTRINE. 

There's come a sing'lar doctrine. Sue, 

Into our church to-day ; 
These cur'us words are what the new 

Young preacher had to say : 
That literal everlastin' fire 

Was mostly in our eye ; 
That sinners dead, if they desire, 

Can get another try ; 



THE NEIV CHURCH DOCTRINE. 345 

He doubted if a warmer clime 

Than this world could be proved ; 
The little snip — I fear sometime 

He'll get his doubts removed. 

I've watched my duty, straight an' true, 

An' tried to do it well ; 
Part of the time kept heaven in view, 

An' part steered clear o' hell ; 
An' now half of this work is naught, 

If I must list to him, 
An' this 'ere devil I have fought 

Was only just a whim ; 
Vain are the dangers 1 have braved, 

The sacrifice they cost ; 
For what fun is it to be saved, 

If no one else is lost ? 

Just think! — Suppose, when once I view 

The heaven 1 toiled to win, 
A lot of unsaved sinners, too. 

Come walkin' grandly in I 
An' acts to home, same as if they 

Had read their titles clear. 
An' looks at me, as if to say, 

" We're glad to see you here !" 
As if to say, "While you have b'en 

So fast to toe the mark. 
We waited till it rained, an' then 

Got tickets for the ark I" 

Yet there would be some in that crowd 

I'd rather like to see ; 
My boy Jack— it must be allowed, 

There was no worse than he 1 



346 THE NEW CHURCH DOCTRINE. 

I've always felt somewhat to blame, 

In several different ways, 
That he lay down on thorns o' shame 

To end his boyhood's days ; 
An' I'd be willin' to endure, 

If that the Lord thought best, 
A minute's quite hot temperature, 

To clasp him to my breast. 

Old Captain Barnes was evil's son — 

With heterodoxy crammed ; 

used to think he'd be the one 

If any one was damned ; 
Still, when I saw a lot o' poor, 

That he had clothed and fed, 
Cry desolately round his door 

As soon as he was dead. 
There came a thought 1 couldn't control, 

That in some neutral land, 
I'd like to meet that scorched-up soul. 

An' shake it by the hand. 

Poor Jennie Willis, with a cry 

Of hopeless, sad distress. 
Sank sudden down, one night to die, 

All in her ballroom dress ; 
She had a precious little while 

To pack up and away ; 
She even left her sweet, good smile— 

Twas on her face next day ; 
Her soul went off unclothed by even 

One stitch of saving grace ; 
How could she hope to go to heaven. 

An' start from such a place ? 



THE OLD FARM HOME. 347 

But once, when I lay sick and weak, 

She came and begged to stay ; 
She kissed my faded, wrinkled cheek — 

She soothed my pain away ; 
She brought me sweet bouquets of flowers, 

As fresh as her young heart ; 
Through many long and tedious hours 

She played a Christian part; 
An' ere I long will stand aroun' 

The singing saints among, 
I'll try to take some water down 

To cool poor Jennie's tongue. 

But tears can never quench my creed, 

Nor smooth God's righteous frown, 
Though all the preachers learn to read 

Their Bibles upside down. 
I hold mine right side up with care 

To shield mine eyes from sin, 
An' coax the Lord, with daily prayer. 

To call poor wanderers in ; 
But if the sinners won't draw nigh. 

An' take salvation's plan, 
I'll have to stand, an' see 'em try 

To dodge hell if they can. 



THE OLD FARM HOME. 

If you've been a happy rover 
Through the fields of fragrant clover. 

Where life is all a simple round of bliss. 
Where at eve the sun is sinking 
And the stars are faintly winking. 

You can call to mind a picture such as this: 



348 THE MOTHERLESS TURKEYS. 

Hark! ' The cows are homeward roaming 

Through the woodland pasture's gloaming, 
I can hear them gently lowing through the dells, 

And from out the bosky dingle 

Comes the softly tangled jingle, 
And the oft-repeated echo of the bells. 

Strange how memory will fling her 
Arms about the scenes we bring her, 

And the fleeting years that make them stronger grow; 
Though I wander far and sadly 
From that dear old home, how gladly 

I recall the cherished scenes of long ago. 

Hark! The cows are homeward roaming 

Through the woodland's pasture's gloaming, 
I can hear them gently lowing through the dells, 

And from out the bosky dingle 

Comes the softly tangled jingle 
And the oft-repeated echo of the bells. 

Germantown Telegraph. 



THE MOTHERLESS TURKEYS. 

The white turkey was dead! the white turkey was dead! 

How the news through the barnyard went flying! 
Of a mother bereft, four small turkeys were left. 

And their case for assistance was crying. 

E'en the peacock respectfully folded his tail 

As a suitable symbol of sorrow. 
And his plainer wife said, "Now the old bird is dead, 

Who will tend her poor chicks on the morrow?" 



THE MOTHERLESS TURKEYS. 349 

" I have so much to dol For the bugs and the worms 

In the garden 'tis tiresome pickin'; 
I have nothing to spare— for my own I must care," 

Said the hen with one chicken. 

"How I wish," said the goose, "I could be of some use, 

For my heart is with love over-brimmingl 
The next morning that's fine they shall go with my nine 

Little yellow-backed goslings out swimming." 

"I will do what I can," the old Dorking put in, 

"And for help they may call on me too. 
Though I've ten of my own that are only half grown, 

And a great deal of trouble to see to. 

"But those poor little things they are all heads and wings. 
And their bones through their feathers are stickin'l" 

"Very hard it may be, but oh, don't come to me!" 
Said the hen with one chicken. 

"Half my care, 1 suppose, there is nobody knows— 

I'm the most overburdened of mothers 1 
They must learn, like the elves, how to scratch for themselves, 

And not seek to depend upon others." 

She went by with a cluck, and the goose to the duck 

Exclaimed, in surprise, "Well, 1 neverl" 
Said the duck, "I declare, those who have the least care, 

You will find, are complaining foreverl 

"And when all things appear to look threatening and drear. 
And when troubles your pathway are thick in. 

For aid in your woe, oh, beware how you go 
To a hen with one chicken!" 

Marian Douglas. 



350 THE SHEPHERD'S DOG. 

THE SHEPHERD^S DOG. 

No dandy dog poor Rover was, 

So sleek and fair to see ; 
No ears of beauty graced his head, 

No dainty limbs had he ; 
No pretty tail he had to wag 

When master came in sight ; 
No glossy silken curls adorned 

His coat of black and white. 

But Rover was a gentle dog, 

A faithful dog, and true ; 
The little childrehi loved him well, 

He loved the children, too ; 
He licked their little hands so soft. 

He trotted at their heels, 
He played with them upon the grass, 

And helped them at their meals. 

When Rover was a tiny pup, 
And scarce could run about. 

His master found him in a ditch 
One day, and brought him out ; 

And little thought the good lad then, 
As, pleased, he turned away. 

In saving Rover's humble life 
X He saved his own that day. 

And tenderly he bore him home. 
And nursed him well and long, 

And day by day, and week by week, 
The dog grew big and strong ; 



THE SHEPHERD'S DOG. 351 

And late or soon, in house or field, 

The two were ne'er apart ; 
The neighbors said the lad had tied 

The dog up to his heart. 

And Rover— well, he loved to lie 

With Colin 'neath the trees. 
And lay his great and shaggy head 

Upon his master's knees; 
And had he had the power to speak, 

The power to shed a tear, 
I think he would have wept and said, 

" 1 love you, master dear." 

And cunning tricks he knew as well : 

He feigned a broken leg ; 
He tumbled down as he were shot, 

And then stood up to beg ; 
He chased the butterflies about. 

He barked at bird and bee. 
And sniffed the flowers as if he loved 

The pretty things to see. 

No shepherd's dog the country round 

Could better watch the sheep ; 
His bright black eyes were everywhere^ 

He never seemed to sleep ; 
And when the flock went once astray, 

He soon was on its track. 
And ere the sun had gone to rest 

He brought the wanderers back. 

He watched them thro' the silent night, 

For he was brave and bold ; 
And once he killed a hungry wolf 

He caught beside the fold. 



352 THE SHEPHERD'S DOG. 

But better still I love to hear 

The story that they tell 
Of what, upon a stormy night, 

His master dear befell. 

The snow was falling fast and thick — 

So thick you scarce could see — 
And Colin's mother lay abed. 

As ill as she could be ; 
So Colin must to town away, 

And fetch the doctor straight ; 
No matter though the wind may blow. 

The night be dark and late. 

He kissed his mother's cheek so pale. 

Then turned in haste to go ; 
His faithful dog was at his side. 

And leapt out on the snow. 
Fierce blew the wind across the heath 

As Colin shut the door, 
But bravely turned he to the blast. 

And Rover went before. 

No moon shed down her gentle light 

To guide them on their way ; 
They could not tell the road that night 

They knew so well by day. 
And weary miles they struggled through. 

And sore was Colin's heart, 
To think his mother lay abed. 

And he so far apart. 

"Good dog 1 good dog!" at length he said, 
"God keep us both from ill 1 

Though wild the night, we'll take the path 
That lies across the hill." 



23 



THE SHEPHERD'S DOG. 3S> 

They clambered up the steep hillside. 

They left the vale below, 
But louder howled the storm above, 

And faster fell the snow. 

The blood froze in poor Colin's veins, ■- 

The tear froze in his eye ; 
He scarce could breathe, so cold he was — 

He felt as he would die. 
His heart beat faint and fainter still, 

His head swam round and round ; 
He reeled, and with a cry of pain 

Sank helpless to the ground. 

And Rover licked his icy face. 

And licked his frozen hand ; 
Why master lay so cold and still 

He could not understand. 
But soon a thought, a happy thought, ^ 

Lit up his lowly mind ; 
He shook the snow oiT from his back, 

And sped off like the wind. 

A shepherd dwelt upon the hill — 

A goodly man, tho' poor — 
And he that night was roused from sleep 

By something at his door. 
He looked from out his window high, 

And something black he saw. 
That stood beside his cottage door. 

And scraped it with its paw. 

With speedy step the old man came, 

The door he opened wide. 
And, panting in the howling storm, 

Poor Rover he espied. 



354 LITTLE ROCKETS CHRISTMAS. 

"Come in, good dog, come in," he said, 
"And tell me why you grieve." 
Poor Rover looked up in his face, 
And pulled him by the sleeve. 

The shepherd took his staff in hand, 

And Rover led the way. 
And up the giddy heights they went 

To where young Colin lay. 
They found him lying stiff and cold ; 

The good man raised his head. 
He breathed, he murmured Rover's name ; 

Thank God, he was not dead. 

The shepherd bore him to his cot, 

And well he nursed him there ; 
And Colin soon had cause to bless 

The good man for his care. 
, And Rover now is old and gray. 

But Colin loves him still. 
And ne'er forgets the night he saved 

His life upon the hill. 



Matthias Barr. 



LITTLE ROCKET'S CHRISTMAS. 

I'll tell you how the Christmas came 
To Rocket — no, you never met him. 

That is, you never knew his name. 
Although 'tis possible you've let him 

Display his skill upon your shoes; 

A bootblack— Arab, if you choose. 

Has inspiration dropped to zero 

When such material makes a hero? 



LITTLE kOCKETS CHRISTMAS, 355 

And who was Rocket? Well, an urchin, 

A gamin, dirty, torn, and tattered, 
Whose chiefest pleasure was to perch in 

The Bowery gallery; there it mattered 
But little what the play might be — 
Broad farce or point-lace comedy— 
He meted out his just applause 
By rigid, fixed, and proper laws. 

A father once he had, no doubt, 

A mother on the Island staying. 
Which left him free to knock about 

And gratify a taste for straying 
Through crowded streets. Twas there he found 
Companionship, and grew renowned. 
An ash-box served him for a bed — 

As good, at least, as Moses' rushes — 
And for his daily meat and bread. 

He earned them with his box and brushes. 

An Arab of the city's slums, 

With ready tongue and empty pocket. 
Unaided left to solve life's sums. 

But plucky always — that was Rocket! 
Twas Christmas eve, and all the day 

The snow had fallen fine and fast; 
In banks and drifted heaps it lay 

Along the streets. A piercing blast 
Blew cuttingly. The storm was past, 
And now the stars looked coldly down 
Upon the snow-enshrouded town. 
Ah, well it is if Christmas brings 
Good will and peace which poet sings! 



356 LITTLE ROCKETS CHRISTMAS. 

How full are all the streets to-night 
With happy faces, flushed and bright! 
The matron in her silks and furs, 

The pompous banker fat and sleek. 
The idle, well-fed loiterers, 

The merchant trim, the churchman meek, 
V Forgetful now of hate and spite, 
For all the world is glad to-night! 
All, did I say? Ah, no, not all, 
For sorrow throws on some its pall; 
And here, within the broad, fair city, 

The Christmas time no beauty brings 
To those who plead in vain for pity. 

To those who cherish but the stings 
Of wretchedness and want and woe. 
Who never love's great bounty know. 
Whose grief no kindly hands assuage, 
Whose misery mocks our Christian age. 
Pray ask yourself what means to them 
That Christ is born in Bethlehem! 

But Rocket? On this Christmas eve 

You might have seen him standing where 
The city's streets so interweave 

They form that somewhat famous square 
Called Printing House. His face was bright. 

And at this gala festive season 
You could not fmd a heart more light — 

I'll tell you in a word, the reason: 
By dint of patient toil in shining 

Patrician shoes and Wall street boots. 
He had within his jacket's lining, 

A dollar and a half— the fruits 



LITTLE ROCKETS CHRISTMAS. 357 

Of pinching, saving, and a trial 

Of really Spartan self-denial. 

« 

That dollar and a half was more 
Than Rocket ever owned before. 
A princely fortune, so he thought, 

And with those hoarded dimes and nickels 
What Christmas pleasures may be boughtl 

A dollar and a half ! It tickles 
The boy to say it over, musing 
Upon the money's proper using; 
"I'll go a gobbler, leg and breast, 

With cranberry sauce and fixin's nice. 
And pie, mince pie, the very best, 

And puddin' — say a double slice! 
And then to doughnuts how I'll freeze; 
With coiTee — guess that ere's the cheese! 
And after grub I'll go to see 
The 'Seven Goblins of Dundee.' 
If this yere Christmas ain't a buster, 
I'll let yer rip my Sunday duster!" 

So Rocket mused as he hurried along, 

Clutching his money with grasp yet tighter, 
And humming the air of a rollicking song, 

With a heart as light as his clothes— or lighter. 
Through Centre street he makes his way, 

When, just as he turns the corner at Peart, 
He hears a voice cry out in dismay, 

And sees before him a slender girl, 
As ragged and tattered in dress as he. 
With hand stretched forth for charity. 



558 LITTLE ROCKETS CHRISTMAS. 

In the street-light's fitful and flickering glare 

He caught a glimpse of the pale, pinched face — 
So gaunt and wasted, yet strangely fair. 

With a lingering touch of childhood's grace 
On her delicate features. Her head was bare, 

And over her shoulders disordered there hung 
A mass of tangled, nut-brown hair. 

In misery old as in years she was young, 
She gazed in his face. And, ohl for the eyes— 
The big, blue, sorrowful, hungry eyes, — 

That were fixed in a desoerate, frightened stare. 

Hundreds have jostled her by to-night — 

The rich, the great, the good, and the wise, 
Hurrying on to the warmth and light 
Of happy homes— they have jostled her by, 
And the only one who has heard her cry, 
Or, hearing, has felt his heart-strings stirred. 
Is Rocket — this youngster of coarser clay. 
This gamin, who never so much as heard 
The beautiful story of Him who lay 
In the manger of old on Christmas day! 

With artless pathos and simple speech, 

She stands and tells him her pitiful tale; 
i Ah, well if those who pray and preach 

Could catch an echo of that sad wail! 
She tells of the terrible battle for bread, 

Tells of a father brutal with crime, 
Tells of a mother lying dead, 

At this, the gala Christmas time; 
Then adds, gazing up at the star-lit sky, 
"I'm hungry and cold, and I wish I could die.'^ 



LITTLE ROCKETS CHRISTMAS. 359 

What is it trickles down the cheek 

Of Rocket— can it be a tear? 
He stands and stares, but does not speak; 

He thinks again of that good cheer 
Which Christmas was to bring; he sees 

Visions of turkey, steaming pies, 
The play-bills— then, in place of these, 

The girl's beseeching, hungry eyes; 

One mighty effort, gulping down 

The disappointment in his breast, 
A quivering of the lip, a frown. 

And then, while pity pleads her best. 
He snatches forth his cherished hoard, 
And gives it to her like a lord! 

"Here, freeze to that; I'm flush, yer see, ' 

And then you needs it more 'an me!" 

With that he turns and walks away. 

So fast the girl can nothing say; 

So fast he does not hear the prayer 

That sanctifies the winter air. 

But He who blessed the widow's mite 

Looked down and smiled upon the sight. 

No feast of steaming pies or turkey, 
No ticket for the matinee, 

All drear and desolate and murky, 
In truth, a very dismal day. i 

With dinner on a crust of bread, ' , 

And not a penny in his pocket, 

A friendly ash-box for a bed- 
Thus came the Christmas day to Rocket, 



360 CHKISTMAS iVICH MY OLD MOTHER. 

And yet — and here's the strangest thing — 

As best befits the festive season, 
The boy was happy as a king — 
; I wonder can you guess the reason? 



Vandyke Brown. 



CHRISTMAS WITH MY OLD MOTHER. 

Scenes Upon Which Grown Folks Look Back with the Fondest Recollection. 

Oh, I never felt so happy as upon last Christmas night, 

Coming near the little home where mother lives, 
The familiar scenes of boyhood, and the window with the light, 

And the joy anticipation ever gives. 
Eager fingers tingled gladly as I opened the old gate, 

And my feet, impatient, hurried to the door ; 
But her ear had caught my footsteps, and her love remembered 
well ; 

On the threshold mother met me as of yore. 

Oh, 1 clasped her to my bosom, as she used to clasp her boy, 

While her tears and loving kisses answered mine. 
Then she led me to the table, where the good things kept for me 

Were all waiting with the chair of auld lang syne. 
She remembered ev'rything I liked, and how to make it best, 

Serving me as though my place were still a child's ; 
Cakes and jellies, home-made candy, and ev'ry choicest thing, 

Heaped before me with caresses and her smiles. 

Oh, I seemed a very boy again, as we sat talking there, 
And she told me how she had thought of, prayed for me, 

How rd been a joy and comfort to her all her widowed life; 
And her spirit, like an angel's, I could see, 



A PASSING CLOUD. 



361 



How in ev'ry whistling boy that passed she heard me coming home, 

So she had love-waited for me all the years ; 
Then, arising from the table, she would stand caressing me. 

As she breathed on me a blessing through her tears. 

When I went to bed she came to me and tucked the covers round, 

In the dear old way that only mothers know. 
Oh, I felt so blissful, peaceful, and so full of tender love 

That all silent came my glad heart's overflow. 
Happy, grateful, joyful tears I shed ; aye, cried myself to sleep, 

Dreaming in a heav'nly dreamland free from cares ; 
In my boyhood home and bed again, the covers tucked around, 

Safely guarded by my dear old mother's prayers. 

Lu B. Cake. 



A PASSING CLOUD. 

Donald and May had fallen out, 
As little people sometimes do ; 
And, bit by bit, it came 
about, 
A cloud between them 



grew 



She, with her doll and pic- c^-4^^-"\i<|i 
ture-books, k^^^-^iu-,, 



Marched primly to the V^J^'i^ F 
garden seat ; 5^r\\\ ^tW;/ \t 

Whilst he, with proud and 
stubborn looks, 

Ran oif with rapid feet. 

And still, for all the sunlit 
air. 
And birds that caroled 
long and loud, 

Donald was conscious everywhere 
Of one prevailing cloud. 




362 THE MAGPIES LESSON. 

And May had put her books aside, 
The words before her seemed to swim ; 

She felt so lost she could have cried — 
The day was changed and dim — 

When, coming suddenly behind, 
The boy's warm lips were at her ear, 

And softly whispered, "Never mind 1 
I did not mean it, dear." 

And Donald smiled to see her start, 
And smiling, too, was happy May ; 

For, in the sunshine of her heart, 
The cloud had passed away 1 



J. R. Eastwood. 



THE MAGPIE'S LESSON. 

In early times, the story says. 
When birds could talk and lecture, 

A Magpie called her feathered friends 
To teach them architecture: 

"To build a nest, my courteous friends," — 

They all began to chatter: 
" No need to teach us that, good 'Mag,' 

'Tis such an easy matter!" 

" To build a nest,"— Professor "Mag" 
Resumed her speech demurely, — 

"First choose a well-forked bough, wherein 
The nest may sit securely." 

"Of course," said Jenny Wren. "Now cross 
Two sticks for the foundation." 



THE MAGPIES LESSON. 363 

"Oh, all know that," quoth Mr. "Rook," 
"Without this long oration." 

"Now bend some slender twigs to form 

The round sides of the dwelling." 
"A fool knows that," exclaimed the thrush, 

" Without a magpie's telling." 

" Next take some wool and line the nest, 

And bind it well together." 
"Why, that's as clear," exclaimed the owl, 

"As stars in frosty weatherl" 

While thus they talked. Professor "Mag" 

Her nest had half completed! 
And, growing quite indignant now. 
To see how she was treated, 

"Ladies and gentlemen," she said, 

" I see you're all so clever. 
My lessons are superfluous,— 

1 leave you then forever." 

Away she flew, and left the birds 

Their folly to discover. 
Who now can build but half a nest, 

And cannot roof it over. 

The magpie sits beneath her roof, 

No rain nor hail can pelt her; 
The others, brooding o'er their young, ; 

Themselves enjoy no shelter. 

No better fate do men deserve. 

When self-conceit can lead them 
Friendly instructions to despise. 

And think they do not need them. 



364 



TIRED MOTHERS. 



TIRED MOTHERS. 

A little elbow leans upon your knee, 
Your tired knee that has so much to bear ; 

A child's dear eyes are looking lovingly 
From underneath a thatch of tangled hair, 




Perhaps you do not heed the velvet touch 
Of warm, moist fingers, folding yours so tight ; 

You do not prize this blessing over-much, — 
You almost are too tired to pray to-night. 



TIRED MOTHERS, 365 

But it is blessedness I A year ago 

I did not see it as I do to-day — 
We are so dull and thankless ; and too slow 

To catch the sunshine till it slips away. 
And now it seems surpassing strange to me, 

That, while 1 wore the badge of motherhood, 
I did not kiss more oft and tenderly 

The little child that brought me only good. 

And if some night when you sit down to rest. 

You miss this elbow from your tired knee, — 
This restless curling head from off your breast, — 

This lisping tongue that chatters constantly ; 
If fro 11 your own the dimpled hands have slipped, 

And ne'er will nestle to your palm again ; 
If the white feet into their grave have tripped, 

1 cannot blame you for your heart-ache then. 

I wonder so that mothers ever fret 

At little children clinging to their gown ; 
Or that the footprints, when the days are v/et, 

Are ever black enough to make them frown. 
If I could find a little muddy boot. 

Or cap, or jacket, on my chamber floor, — 
If 1 could kiss a rosy, restless foot, 

And hear it patter in my house once more, — 

If I could mend a broken cart to-day, 

To-morrow make a kite to reach the sky. 
There is no woman in God's world could say 

She was more blissfully content than 1. 
But ah 1 the dainty pillow next my own 

Is never rumpled by a shining head. 
My singing birdling from its nest has tlown. 

The little girl I used to kiss is dead. may riley smith. 



366 DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF l^ALOR. 

"DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALOR." 

Nell sat on a lounge one summer day, 

So busy with a book, 
And very clever and very wise 

She archly tried to look, 
As she said, "Shall I read you a story 

Of a sparrow and a rook? 

"It chanced that once upon a time. 

All on a glad spring day, 
A pert young sparrow and a rook 

Together chanced to stray; 
And the smaller bird began to talk 

In quite a lordly way. 




" 'You're bigger far than I, Sir Rook, 

But yet I think I'm right 
In saying you're not half so brave 

When men come into sight; 
But with a caw of dire alarm 

You swiftly take your flight. 



THE ELEPHANT AND THE CHILD. 367 

" 'Just watch those bread crumbs scattered there, 

A group of boys close by; 
Fearless I'll flit down for a crumb, 

And off with it I'll fly; 
While you, I'm sure, would never dare 

A thing like this to try.' 

"No sooner said than done; the bird 

Flew down as quick as thought. 
Alas for him! he found too late 

Far more than he had sought. 
A cruel net had covered him, 

And he was safely caught. 

"And then, as Mr. Rook flew oflF, 

Back to his lofty nest. 
He said, 'I see, pure recklessness 

Of courage is no test. 
Of all the parts which valor make. 

Discretion is the bestl'" 

G. Weatherly. 



THE ELEPHANT AND THE CHILD. 

The arching trees above a path 
Had formed a pleasant shade, 

And here to screen him while he slept, 
An infant boy was laid. 

His mother near him gathered fruit. 
But soon with fear she cried. 

For, slowly moving down the path, 
An elephant she spied. 



368 NEARER TO THEE 



The sticks he crushed beneath his feet 
Had waked the sleeping- child, 

Who pushed aside the waving curls, 
And looked at him and smiled. 

The mother could not reach the spot — 
With fear she held her breath — 

And there in agony she stood 
To see him crushed to death. 

His heavy foot the monster held 

Awhile above the boy, 
Who laughed to see it moving there. 

And clapped his hands with joy. 

The mother saw it reach the ground. 

Beyond her infant son, 
And watched till every foot was safe 

Across the little one. 

She caught her infant from the ground. 
For there, unharmed, he lay, 

And could have thanked the noble beast. 
Who slowly stalked away. 



NEARER TO THEE. 

"Nearer my God, to Thee," rose on the air, 
Each note an ecstasy, joyous and rare. 
Tones that were triumph peals shrined in a song, 
Breathing of victory gained over wrong ; 
Out on the listening air, mocking at fear. 
Ringing its clarion cry, fearless and clear, 
Up from a soul redeemed, noble and free, 
*' Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee." 



94 



NEARER TV THEE. ^69 

" Nearer, my God, to Thee," thrilled on the ak, 
Each note an agony, linked with a prayer, 
Out on a sinking ship, land out of sight. 
Borne by the wailing winds into the night ; 
White-maned and angry waves howling in scom, 
Wild shrieks of helpless hearts over them borne ; 
Still rang one trusting voice high o'er the sea, 
" Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee." 

" Nearer, my God, to Thee," thrilled on the breeze, 
Far in a heathen land, 'neath the palm trees, 
Rising in soulful notes, earnest and calm. 
Trust and tranquility winging the psalm ; 
Fierce faces round about, fever and death 
Mixed with the tropic flowers' balm-laden breath ; 
One lonely child of God bending the knee. 
Saying with uplifted face, " Nearer to Thee." 

" Nearer, my God, to Thee," echoed a street 
Worn by the night tread of murderers' feet. 
Up from a cellar, dark, noisome w[th slime, 
Out o'er a motley crowd hideous with crime ; 
Curses and oaths obscene fouling the ear. 
Still rose the trusting notes, trembling but cFear ; 
Poverty, suifering, singing their plea, 
" Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee." 

" Nearer, my God, to Thee," rose from a room 
Where a man, old and blind, sat in the gloom, 
While his poor hands caressed, there on the bed. 
One who was once his bride, silent and dead. 
Worn were the wrinkled hands folded in sleep ; 
Closed were the patient eyes, slumbering deep. 
" Called to her home," he said, "waiting for me ; 
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee." 



^70 LITTLE JO. 

" Nearer, my God, to Thee," triumph or prayer, 

Winging its way every hour on the air, 

O'er the whole world from a numberless throng, 

Blending their smiles and their sighs in its song ; 

Priceless the memories, sweet and profound. 

Linked like a chaplet of pearls by its sound. 

Grant its petition till all the world be 

" Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee." 



LITTLE JO. 

I wonder if old Santa Glaus will come to-night! 
He couldn't fmd the way last year; 
1 wish he had, for little Jo was here — 
Dear little Jo! we're better off a sight, 
Than what we were last year 
When he was here. 

We hadn't fire to keep us warm last Christmas day; 
And not enough, not near enough to eat, — 
Just bread and tea; but not a bit of meat 
On Christmas day! I didn't care to play, 
The snow kept falling fast. 
And sleighs went past. 

Once when I brought my blocks and things to Jo 
He moaned as if it hurt him just to look. 
Then partly cried, and pushed the picture book; 
His sorry eyes looked straight at mother, so, 
And she said, " Hush, and go away, 
Jo doesn't want to play." 



LITTLE JO. 371 

And not a soul came in the whole day through, 
And we were there alone all day, you see, — 
Mother and I, and little Jo — we three; 
And then toward night the wind arose and blew, 
And 1 remember now so plain, 
How all the snow turned into rain. 

That made it lonesomer, you know. 
And little Jo grew worse toward night. 
And moaned so pitiful, his face was white. 
Why, just as white and cold, almost, as snow. 
You see we hadn't fire to keep him warm 
Through such a storm. 

That's why I had to go to bed so early; 
Mother said first I might kiss little Jo, — 
I didn't do it every night, you know. 
But this was Christmas night, — his hair was curly. 
And scattered on the pillow, soft and bright; 
1 noticed then how solemn and how white 

And lonesome mother looked, she didn't talk. 
Except to bid me say my prayers, and say 'em low, 
So's not to waken Jo; 
And then to see how careful I could walk. 
She didn't say another single word; 
But kissed Jo as he stirred. 

Once in the night I woke — the rain still poured 
Against the window; mother sat beside 
Jo's bed, and when he tossed about and cried 
She soothed him with a hymn about the Lord, — 

The dear Christ-child who on one Christmas day. 
Long years ago, within a manger lay. 



372 LITTLE JO. 

There was such comfort in that pretty hymn, — 
Or else in mother's voice, — I nestled deep 
Within the coverlid and went to sleep, 
Still hearing in my dreams— though faint and dim— 
The sound of rain, and mother singing low, 
Singing to little Jo. 

Next morning 1 woke suddenly, and sat 
Up in the bed; the dreadful storm had past. 
Mother was up and sewing just as fast ! 
It made me very glad to notice that; 

She hadn't sewed since Jo was took that way, 
That's why we were so hungry Christmas day. 

I dressed me quick, and went to Joey's bed; 
He hadn't wakened yet, and lay so still; 
His little hands were crossed; I never will 
Forget how smooth the curls were on his head. 
"Mother," I cried, "has Jo got well again?" 
"Yes, dear," she whispered, "well, and out of pain.' 

And then 1 went and stood by mother's chair. 
She looked as different, most, as little Jo; 
Too pale and sick, it seemed to me, to sew. 
And there was such a sadness in the airl 

But mother stitched away with all her might, 
A little narrow gown made all of white. 

Jo has a pretty grave; it stands alone. 
Near other poor folks' graves close by the wall. 
The most of them are large, a few are small. 
Jo's hasn't yet, of course, got any stone; 

But summer grasses grow there just as sweet, 
And winter snows,— they drape it like a sheet. 



BIRTHDAY GIFTS. 373 

I often wondered how it came that we 
Should have the right to lay our dear boy there, 
In that sweet spot, with none to blame or care; 
I didn't understand hOw it could be. 

For not a blade of grass grows near our door; 
We haven't any yard, we are so poor. 

So I asked mother when we stood beside 
His grave one day. "The dear Lord, long ago, 
Gave graves like this," she said, "to such as Jo," 
And then she turned her face away and cried. 
I wonder why? It is a pretty grave, I'm sure, 
And little Jo — he sleeps there all secure. 

Mary McGuire. 



BIRTHDAY GIFTS. 

Papa, don't you know it is my birthday ? 
Don't you know I am five years old to-day ? 
My poor wooden horse has lost his head, 
My dear little kitten is all gone dead ; 
My marbles are lost, and my top won't hum ; 
And, darling papa, please give me a drum 1 
The soldier boys want me to come out and play ; 
And I want a drum, for I'm five to-day. 

Papa, do you know it is my birthday ? 
Do you know I am ten years old to-day ? 
And I've got my Latin, and done my sums ; 
And I'm tired of marbles and tops and drums. 
And at school I never got in a row, 
And grandma declares I make a nice bow : 
And so, altogether, to go with my mates, 
I should like, dear papa, a nice pair of skates, 



374 BIRTHDAY GIFTS. 

Come father, do not forget, I pray, 
I'm just fifteen this blessed day ; 
I'm a pretty tall fellow for that you see, 
And in less than a year in college I'll be, — 
* Unless all my digging should drive me to bed, — 

For I'm studying the eyes almost out of my head. 
When I'd rather be popping away at a duck, 
With very great skill and very poor luck I 
So ril come to the point, for under the sun 
There's nothing I want like a handsome new gun. 

Twenty years old, and a fine moustache, 
A part at commencement, — a glorious dash ! 
And father, you heard what a clapping I got ; 
I knew where you sat, and I looked at that spot, 
» And thanked you, my father, for loving me so, 

With your eyes full of tears, and cheeks in a glow. 
The gift for my birthday ? If truth must be told, 
My watch is of silver, and might be of gold. 

My father, to-day 1 am just twenty-five, 
Ready and glad to struggle and strive ; 
But the world, my father, to me looks bright. 
For the gentle promise I won last night ; 
And the birthday gift that would gladden me 
Is your tender blessing on Clara and me. 

Thirty years old this blessed day ! 
The clouds may come, but they never stay ; 
For sunshine chases the clouds in turn : 
That from my smiling babe I learn, 
From the cradle where once we leaned and wept. 
While with waxen cheek our first-born slept. 
But now in my wife's fair hand, I see 
The robe so stealthily wrought for me. 



BIRTHDAY GIFTS. 375 

Am I thirty-five ? Is it even so ? 
Does my saucy wife pretend to know ? 
But the brief ten years of my wedded joy 
Shine out in the eyes of my laughing boy. 
And Minnie's small fingers have hemmed for me 
The kerchiefs my birthday gift to be. 

Forty years old ; and my father lies 
Where o'er his grave the fir tree sighs 1 
His smile and his blessing dwelt with me, 
The blessing 1 feel, the smile I see, 
As when in my motherless boyhood days 
He warmed my heart with his meeds of praise. 
Now my holy gift from my sister Ann 
is the pictured face of the dear old man. 

Forty-five ! and with blushing face 
My Minnie looks down with a modest grace 
While her lover pleads ; and I think of the day 
So well 1 remember 1 I cannot say nay : 
She looks like her mother, the pretty young thing ; 
I see it must end in a wedding ring, 
And my birthday gift this year must be 
A son that shall steal my daughter from me. 

1 am fifty, dear! 'tis the prime of life I 
No wrinkles, as yet, you can count, my wife ! 
For the busy world is so full of joy 
That 1 sometimes think I am still a boy. 
Ah 1 here is my gift which I just have found,— 
From my children,— a volume superbly bound ; 
You villains 1 How shall I stifle my rage ! 
An elegant classical treatise on age. 



376 THE SUCCESSFUL MAN. 

Sixty years old ! and thy silver hair, 

My Clara, to me looks wondrous fair ; 

But hark ! what a trampling of feet below : 

My clerks — a srniling and goodly row — 

A cane with a head of gold they bear; 

They speak of my kind and watchful care, 

They call me father ! words are so weak, 

Do you wonder, my wife, that 1 could not speak ? 

Threescore and ten sounds rather old ; 
Withered but fair is the hand I hold. 
Clara, my loving, long-tried wife, 
Lo I in thine eyes 1 read my life — 
•Peaceful, whatever the world might bring. 
Ready the father's praise to sing. 
See ! the grandchildren's thoughtful care ; 
* I sit in my stately birthday chair. 

Eighty ! the world is changed below : 
Progress it is, I think I know I 
They are building a home for aged men ; 
I must send a check — just hand me my pen — 
It shakes — no matter — a few days more ; 
The pleasant journey is almost o'er, 
Give me your grandmother's silver curl, 
My birthday gift, the last, dear girl. 
My blessing — good-night 1 the old man's home I 
Yes, it is time, 1 am glad to come. 



THE SUCCESSFUL MAN. 

Ella Wheeler Wilcox says that if she were asked to define the mean- 
ing of a successful man, she would say: "A man who has made a 
happy home for his wife and children. No matter what he has not 



PARTING. 



'577 



done in the way of achieving wealth and honor, if he has done that, he 
is a grand success. If he has not done that, and it is his own fault, 
though he be the highest in the land, he is a most pitiable failure. I 
wonder how many men in the mad pursuit of gold, which characterizes 
the age, realize that there is no fortune which can be left to their 
families as great as the memory of a happy home." 



Thou must be true thyself, 
if thou the truth would teach; 

Thy soul must overflow, if thou 
Another soul would reach. 

It needs the overflow of heart 
To give the lips full speech. 




CHRISTMAS EVE. 



PARTING. 

If thou dost bid thy friend farewell, 
But for one night though that farewell may be. 
Press thou his hand in thine. 
How canst thou tell how far from thee 
Fate or caprice may lead his steps ere that to-morrow comes? 
Men have been known lightly to turn the corner of a street 
And days have grown to months. 
And months to lagging years, ere they 
Have looked in loving eyes again. 



378 RESOLVES. 

Parting at best is underlaid 

With tears and pain; 

Therefore, lest sudden death should come between, 

Or time, or distance, clasp with pressure firm the hand 

Of him who goeth forth; 

Unseen, Fate goeth too. 

Yea, find thou always time to say some earnest word 

Between the idle talk, lest with thee henceforth, 

Night and day, regret should walk. 

Coventry Patmore. 



RESOLVES. 



We'll read that book, we'll sing that song, 
But when? Oh, when the days are long; 
When thoughts are free, and voices clear; 
Some happy time within the year: 
The days troop by with noiseless tread, 
The song unsung, the book unread. 
We'll see that friend, and make him feel 
The weight of friendship, true as steel; 
Some flowers of sympathy bestow: 
But time sweeps on with steady flow, 
Until with quick, reproachful tear. 
We lay our flowers upon his bier. 
And still we walk the desert sands. 
And still with tritles till our hands. 
While ever, just beyond our reach, 
A fairer purpose shows to each. 
The deeds we have not done, but willed, 
Remain to haunt us — unfultllled. 



THINGS NEl^ER. DONE. 379 

THE HOUSEHOLD ANGEL 

"A little child shall lead them." 

A petty cloud between the two had fallen,— 
She leaned back, proudly silent, in her chair ; 

He, at the window, stared out at the darkness, 
And dark his own brows were; 

When suddenly a baby's shrill cry sounded 

'Mid the lace draperies of its dainty bed. 
And swift as with one thought they turned together, 

Though not one word was said. 

But in their haste, drawing aside the cover 
About the crib, it chanced that their hands met; 

One swift, shy glance she gave him, he to her, 
And lo ! her eyes were wet. 

She raised the child with tender mother care 

To soothe its piteous cry of vague alarms, 
And found them both, herself and babe, together. 

Clasped close in his strong arms. 

Good housekeeping. 



THINGS NEVER DONE. 

Greater deeds than have ever been seen, 
Brighter songs than the poet has sung. 

Are the things that are dreamed and tried, I ween. 
But which have never been done. 

The fairest picture the artist can paint 

Is hung on the wall of his brain : 
On his canvas rests but the shadow faint 

Of what he wished to attain. 



380 THE RAINY DAY. 

Above success hovers ever the thought, 

Marring sadly its bliss ; 
Better than this was the thing I sought — 

Better, far better than this ! 

For strive, as we may, we cannot grasp 
The visions that lure us on — 

They are ever held in our mental clasp. 
And our best is never done. 

But this fancy does oft my senses woo ; 

That perhaps in the world to come 
We shall find the things we have tried to do, 

But which have never been done. 



THE RAINY DAY. 

The day is cold, and dark and dreary ; 
It rains, and the wind is never weary ; 
The vine still clings to the moldering wall. 
But at every gust the dead leaves fall, 
And the day is dark and dreary. 

My life is cold, and dark and dreary ; 
It rains, and the wind is never weary ; 
My thoughts still cling to the moldering Past, 
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast, 
And the days are dark and dreary. 

Be still, sad heart) and cease repining ; 
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining ; 
Thy fate is the common fate of all. 
Into each life some rain must fall. 
Some days must be dark and dreary. 



POEM FOR RECITATION. 381 

POEM FOR RECITATION. 

EASTER. 
(Sent us by Mrs. G. W. Cooper, of Junction City, Kan.) 

My sweet little neighbor Bessie 

I thought was busy with play, 
When she turned, and brightly questioned, 

"Say, what is the Easter day?" 

"Has nobody told you, darling- 
Do they 'Feed His Lambs' like this?" 

I gathered her to my bosom, 
And gave her a tender kiss. 

Away went the cloak for dolly, 

And away went dolly too. 
As again she eagerly questioned. 

With eyes so earnest and blue; 

"Is it like birthdays or Christmas— 

Or like Thanksgiving Day; 
Do we just be good like Sunday, 

Or run and frolic and play? 

" I know there's flowers to it. 

And that is most all I know ; 
I've got a lovely rosebush, 

And a bud begins to grow." 

Then in words most few and simple 

I told the gentle child 
The story whose end is Easter — 

The life of the Undefiled. 
Told of the manger of Bethlehem, 

And about the glittering star, 
That guided the feet of the shepherds 

Watching their flocks from afar. 



382 POEM FOR RECITATION. 

Told of the lovely Mother, 
And the Baby who was born 

To live on the earth among us 
Bearing its sorrows and scorn. 

And then 1 told of the life He lived 
Those v/onderful thirty years, 

Sad, weary, troubled, forsaken, 
In this world of sin and tears, 

Until I came to the shameful death 
That the Lord of Glory died, 

Then the tender little maiden 
Uplifted her voice and cried. 

I came at length to the garden 
Where they laid His form away, 

And then in the course of telling 
1 came to the Easter Day. 

The day when sorrowing women 
Came there to the grave to moan, 

And the lovely shining angels 
Had rolled away the stone. 

I think I made her understand 
As well as childhood can. 

About the glorified risen life 
Of Him who was God and Man. 

This year the fair Easter lilies 
Will gleam through a mist of tears, 

For I shall not see sweet Bessie 
In all of the coming years. 



POEM FOK KECITATION. 383 

When the snow lay white and thickest 

She quietly went away 
To learn from the lips of angels 

The meaning of Easter Day. 

We put on the little body 

The garments worn in life, 
And laid her deep in the frozen earth 

Away from all noise and strife. 

We took all the dainty playthings, 

And the- dollies new and old, 
And placed them in a sacred spot 

With a tress of shining gold. 

Were it not for the star of Bethlehem, 

And the dawn of Easter Day, 
It would be to us most bitter 

To put our darling away. 

But we know that as the hard brown earth 

Holds lilies regal and white, 
So the lifeless, empty, useless clay 

Held once an angel of light. 

And 1 hope on the Easter morning 

To look from the grave away. 
Thinking not of the child that was. 

But the child that is to-day. 

Emily Baker Smalle. 



384 ''GOD HATH HIS PLAN FOR EFERY MAN." 

"GOD HATH HIS PLAN FOR EVERY MAN." 

Take this maxim home to your heart. 

If groping in earth's shadows ; 
And the blossoms of faith and hope will start, 

And brighten life's dreary meadows. 
And the clouds give place to sunlight's gold. 
And the rocks grow green 'neath the mosses ; 
" God hath His plan 
For every man," 
Though mingled with flowers and crosses. 

Though weary and long the time may seem. 

Ere the veil of the future be lifted, 
And many a radiant hope and dream 

Have into oblivion drifted ; 
Yet after a while the light will come, 
And after a while the glory ; 
" God hath His plan 
For every man," 
And the angels whisper the story. 

Then why should ye murmur, and sigh, and fret. 

And follow each bent and calling ? 
The violet patiently waits to be wet 

With the dews at the night-time falling ; 
And the robin knows that the spring will come 
Though the winds are round her wailing ; 
" God hath His plan 
For every man," 
And His ways are never failing. 



The two mysterifs. 385 

Then gird ye on the armor of faith, 

And onward your way keep pressing" : 
It may be through valleys of carnage and death. 

Or up on the Mount of Blessing ; 

And, if by His counsel guided, at last 

He'll lead you up to your glory ; 

"God hath His plan 

For every man," 

And the angels whisper the story 



THE TWO MYSTERIES. 

We know not what it is, dear, this sleep so deep and siill ; 
The folded hands, the awful calm, the cheek so pale and chill, 
The lids that will not lift again, though we may call and call. 
The strange white solitude of peace that settles over all. 

We know not what it means, dear, this desolate heart pain, 
The dread to take our daily way, and walk in it again. 
We know not to what sphere the loved who leave us go, 
Nor why we're left to wander still, nor why we do not know. 

But this we know • Our loved and lost, if they should come this 

day — 
Should come and ask us, What is life ? not one of us could say. 
Life is a mystery as deep as death can ever be ; 
Yet, how sweet it is to us, this life we live and see ! 

Then might they say, those vanished ones, and blessed is the 

thought. 
So death is sweet to us, beloved, though we may tell you naught. 
We may not tell it to the quick, this mystery of death ; 
Ye may not tell it if ye would, the mystery of breath. 

25 



586 SPEAK TENDERLY. 

The child that enters life comes not with knowledge or intent ; 
So those who enter death must ^o as little children sent. 
Nothing is known, but I believe that God is overhead ; 
And as life is to the living, so death is to the dead. 

, Mary Mapes Dodge in Boston Transcript. 



SPEAK TENDERLY. 

When the circle's all complete, 
When the home is bright with cheer, 

When we mourn no vacant seat. 
When we miss no dear face there, 

Then how tender should the tone 

Be to those we call our own! 

Soon, ah, soon the circle breaks, 
Soon the darksome shadows come; 

Death, the mighty, often makes 
Light give place to grief and gloom. 

O, let then our actions show 

All the tenderness we knowl 

Soon, ah, soon will memory bring 
Every harsh and hasty tone 

To the heart with bitter sting. 
That will bid us weep and moan. 

Ere you're sunder'd far apart, 

Clasp the dear ones to your heart. 

Now, let these our very own, - 
Know, indeed, how much we love. 

Let us e'er, by act and tone. 
All our warm affection prove. 

O, let us be true to-day, 

Ere we weep o'er lifeless clay! 



THE LOyED AND LOST. 387 

THE LOVED AND LOST. 

"The loved and lost 1" why do we call them lost, 
Because we miss them from our onward road ? 

God's unseen angel o'er our pathway crost, 

Looked on us all, and loving them the most, 
Straightway relieved them of life's weary load. 

They are not lost ; they are within the door 
That shuts out loss, and every hurtful thing. 

With angels bright, and loved ones gone before, 

In their Redeemer's presence evermore, 
And God Himself their Lord, and Judge, and Ki^/g. 

And this we call a loss ; O selfish sorrow 

Of selfish hearts I O we of little faith 1 
Let us look round, some argument to borrow 
Why we in patience should await the morrow 

That surely must succeed this night of death ! 

Aye, look upon this dreary desert path. 

The thorns and thistles whereso'er we turn ; 
What trials and what tears, what wrongs and wrath, 
What struggles and what strife the journey hath I 
They have escaped from these ; and lo ! we mourn. 

Ask the poor sailor, when the wreck is done. 

Who with his treasure strove the shore to reach, 
While with the raging waves he battled on — 
Was it not joy, where every joy seemed gone, 
To see his loved ones landed on the beach ? 

A poor wayfarer, leading by the hand 

A little child, had halted by the well 
To wash from off her feet the clinging sand. 
And tell the tired boy of that bright land 

Where, this long journey past, they longed to dwell. 



388 '' COMFORTING JVORDS." 

When lo ! the Lord, who many mansions had, 

Drew near, and looked upon the suflfering twain. 
Then pitying spake, " Give me the h'ttle lad : 
In strength renewed, and glorious beauty clad, 
I'll bring him with me when I come again." 

Did she make answer selfishly and wrong — 

" Nay, but the woes I feel, he too must share !" 
Or rather, bursting into grateful song, 
She went her way rejoicing, and made strong 
To struggle on, since he was freed from care. 

We will do likewise ; death hath made no breach 
In love and sympathy, in hope and trust ; 

No outward sign or sound our ears can reach ; 

But there's an inward, spiritual speech 
That greets us s^ill, though mortal tongues be dust. 

It bids us do the work that they laid down — 

Take up the song where they broke oif the strain ; 
So journeying till we reach the heavenly town. 
Where are laid up our treasures and our crown. 
And our lost loved ones will be found again. 



"COMFORTING WORDS." 

"Search the Scriptures : for in them ye think ye have eternal life : and they are they which 

testify of Me."— John v: 39. 

Art thou worn and heavy-laden. 

By earth's trials sore opprest ? 
Hearken to the Saviour's promise, 

*' Come, and I will give thee rest ;" 
Lighter far would seem thy sorrows 

Did ye heed His blessed Word, 
And, not faithless, but believing, 

" Cast thy burden on the Lord." 



-COMFORTING WORDS:' 

Though the way seem long and weary, 

Earthly aid removed from thee, 
Christ has promised—" As thy day is, 

Even so thy strength shall be/' 
Over paths most rough and stony, 

He will hold thy footsteps up, 
And in sore and grievous trouble. 

Help thee drink the bitter cup. 

Is a loved one taken from thee, 

Murmur not beneath the rod, 
Know'st thou not that those most chastened 

Are the best beloved of God ? 
Though thy heart be sore and bleeding. 

From thy treasure called to part, 
Comes there not to thee this message— 

" I am nigh thee broken heart ?" 

*' Where thy treasure, there thy heart is," 

And whene'er disposed to roam, 
'Tis the love you bore that dear one, 

Draws thy wandering footsteps home. 
This the thought that cheers thy sorrow 
When thine eyes with tears are dim, 
Though " To me he shall return not, 

I may some time go to him." 
Through still deeper waves of trouble 

God may call thee yet to go, 
'Tis to draw thee closer to Him, 

Wean thy thoughts from things below. 
Harden not thy heart against Him, 

Never doubt his care for thee, 
" Greater love than this hath no man. 
That He gave His life for thee." 



390 THE LOST KISS. 



Though thy griefs should nigh o'erwhelm thee. 

Each one seem more bitter still. 
Strive for grace to say most humbly, 

" Lo! I come to do Thy will." 
God shall be forever with thee, 

Help thee tread the narrow way, 
And through deepest, blackest darkness, 

Guide thee to His perfect day. 

Then, thy journey safely ended, 

From all fears thy soul set free. 
Thou shalt, in thy Father's mansion 

Find a place prepared for thee — 
No more death, nor pain, nor sorrow. 

Never more from home to stray, 
God shall dry thy tears, and tell thee 

Former things are passed away. 

There with angels and archangels 

Will ye laud his glorious name. 
Saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, 

Ever through all time the same. 
Would ye mourn o'er earthly trials. 

Be by troubles so oppressed, 
Were ye looking ever upward, 

Toward that Home of Perfect Rest? 



THE LOST KISS. 

I put by the half-written poem, 
While the pen idly trailed in my hand, 

Writes on, "Had I words to complete it. 
Who'd read it, or who'd understand?" 



THE LOST KISS. 391 

But the little bare feet on the stairway, 
And the faint, smothered laugh in the hall, 

And the eerie-low lisp on the silence, 
Cry up to me over it all. • 

So 1 gather it up — where was broken 

The tear-faded thread of my theme, 
Telling how, as one night 1 sat writing, 

A fairy broke in on my dream, 
A little inquisitive fairy — 

My own little girl, with the gold 
Of the sun in her hair, and the dewy 

Blue eyes of the fairies of old. 

Twas the dear little girl that I scolded— 

" For was it a moment like this," 
I said, " when she knew 1 was busy, 

To come romping in for a kiss ? 
Come rowdying up from her mother, 

And clamoring there at my knee 
For 'One 'ittle kiss for my dolly, 

And one 'ittle uzzer for me ?' " 

God pity the heart that repelled her 
And the cold hands that turned her away I 

And take from the lips that denied her 
This answerless prayer of to-day 1 

Take, Lord, from my mem'ry forever 
That pitiful sob of despair, 

And the patter and trip of the little bare feet. 
And the one piercing cry on the stair ! 

I put by the half-written poem. 
While the pen, idly trailed in my hand. 

Writes on, " Had 1 words to complete it, 
Who'd read it, or who'd understand ?" 



392 DIMES AND DOLLARS. 

But the little bare feet on the stairway, 
And the faint, smothered laugh in the hall, 

And the eerie-low lisp on the silence. 
Cry up to me over it all. 

James Whitcomb Riley. 



DIMES AND DOLLARS. 

'* Dimes and dollars ! dollars and dimes I " 
Thus an old miser rang the chimes, 
As he sat by the side of an open box. 
With iron angles and massive locks ; 
And he heaped the glittering coin on high, 
And cried in delirious ecstasy — 
"Dimes and dollars I dollars and dimes !" 

A sound on the gong, and the miser rose. 
And his laden coflfer did quickly close 
And lock secure. " These are the times 
For a man to look after his dollars and dimes. 
A letter ! Ha I from my prodigal son. 
The old tale— poverty. Pshaw, begone ! 
Why did he marry when I forbade ? 

"As he has sown, so he must reap ; 

But I my dollars secure will keep. 

A sickly wife and starving times ? 

He should have wed with dollars and dimes." 

Thickly the hour of midnight fell ; 

Doors and windows were bolted well. 

" Ha !" cried the miser, " not so bad ;— 

A thousand dollars to-day IVe made. 



DIMES AND DOLLARS. 393 

Money makes money ; these are the times 
To double and treble the dollars and dimes. 
Now to sleep, and io-morrow to plan ; — 
Rest is sweet to a wearied man." 
And he fell asleep with the midnight chimes- 
Dreaming of glittering dollars and dimes. 

The sun rose high, and its beaming ray 

Into the miser's room found its way, 

It moved from the foot till it lit the head 

Of the miser's low uncurtained bed ; 

And it seemed to say to him, "Sluggard, awake ; 

Thou hast a thousand dollars to make. 

"Up, man, up 1" How still was the place. 
As the bright ray fell on the miser's face 1 
Ha 1 the old miser at last is dead. 
Dreaming of gold, his spirit fled, 
And he left behind but an earthly clod 
Akin to the dross that he made his god. 

What now avail the chinking chimes 

Of dimes and dollars ! dollars and dimes I 

Men of the times 1 men of the times ! 

Content may not rest with dollars and dimes. 

Use them well, and their use sublimes 

The mineral dross of the dollars and dimes. 

Use them ill, and a thousand crimes 

Spring from a coffer of dollars and dimes. 

Men of the times 1 men of the times ! 

Let Charity double with your dollars and dimes. 



394 A HAPPY PAIR. 

A HAPPY PAIR. 



The yellow sand, the bright blue sky, 

The broad expanse of sea, 
The ships in sunshine passing by, 

Bring back young days to me. 

We picked up pebbles, years ago. 

And pink shells on the shore, 
When sister Kate — your aunt, you know 

Was six, and I was four. 

We built big castles on the sand. 
With tunnels through for trains, 

Which at the last, though wisely planned. 
Fell in for all our pains 1 

Thus disappointment dashed our joy. 

And troubles, not a few — 
When father was a little boy, 

And aunt was young like you. 

I think of all her love for me ! 

How fondly round my waist, 
Seated together by the sea. 

Her gentle arm she placed 1 

The castles, children, that we build 

May fall for all our pains. 
But still with joy our lives are filled 

If only love remains ! 



J. R. Eastwood. 




A hMDE ON SANDS. 
395 



396 SOMEBODY'S MOTHEM. 



SOMEBODY'S MOTHER. 



The woman was old and ragged and gray. 
And bent with the chill of the winter's day ; 
The street was wet with a recent snow, 
And the woman's feet were aged and slow. 

She stood at the crossing and waited long, 
Alone, uncared for, amid the throng 
Of human beings who passed her by, 
Nor heeded the glance of her anxious eye. 

Down the street with laughter and shout. 
Glad in the freedom of " school let out " 
Came the boys like a flock of sheep, 
Hailing the snow piled white and deep. 

Past the woman so old and gray 

Hastened the children on their way, 

Nor offered a helping hand to her, 

So meek, so timid, afraid to stir 

Lest the carriage wheels or horses' feet 

Should crowd her down in the slippery street. 

At last came one of the merry troop— 
The gayest laddie of all the group ; 
He paused beside her, and whispered low, 
"I'll help you across, if you wish to go." 

Her aged hand on his strong young arm 
She placed, and so, without hurt or harm 
He guided the trembling feet along. 
Proud that his own were firm and strong. 



GRANNY'S GRACE. 397 

Then back again to his friends he went, 
His young heart happy and well content. 
"She's somebody's mother, boys, you know. 
For all she's aged and poor and slow ; 

" And 1 hope some fellow will lend a hand 
To help my mother, you understand ; 
If ever she's poor and old and gray. 
When her own dear boy is far away." 

And "somebody's mother" bowed low her head 
In her home that night, and the prayer she said 
Was, " God be kind to the noble boy, 
Who is somebody's son and pride and joy." 

Harper's Weekly. 



GRANNY'S GRACE. 

Do I say my grace ? Why, of course I do. 
At dinner ? Yes, and at breakfast too ; 
But I never said it for tea, you know, 
'Till I stayed with granny a while ago. 

I'd come in warm from a game of play. 
And rushed to my tea in a heedless way ; 
For, somehow, it never occurred to me 
To say my grace for "a cup of tea." 

But granny waited, and bent her head 

A moment over the homely spread. 

And her gentle hand on mine was pressed. 

While thanks were given, and the food was blessed. 

I feel it still, though I'm far away, 
That touch, which so plainly seemed to say— 
"No gift from heaven can be slight or small. 
And a grateful heart gives thanks for all !" 



398 GOLDEN HAIR. 

Dear granny I when all her work is done, 
And red in the sky grows the setting sun ; 
When nothing is heard but the sheep-bell's chime, 
And lowing of cows at milking time ; 

When fresh as the rose comes the evening air. 
And granny rests in the old arm-chair — 
Of all her comforts, it seems to me. 
She thanks God most for her cup of tea ! 

Ellis Walton. 



GOLDEN HAIR. 

Golden Hair climbed upon Grandpapa's knee, 
Dear little Golden Haij I tired was she. 
All the day busy as busy could be. 

Up in the morning as soon as 'twas light. 
Out with the birds and the butterflies bright. 
Skipping about till the coming of night. 

Grandpapa toyed with the curls on her head : 
"What has my baby been doing," he said, 
/'Since she arose, with the sun, from her bed?" 

" Pitty much," answered the sweet little one ; 
" 1 cannot tell so much things I have done — 
Played with my dolly, and feeded my Bunn. 

" And then I have jumped with my little jump-rope. 
And then 1 made, out of some water and soap, 
Bootiful worlds, mamma's castles of hope. 

" I afterward readed in my picture-book, 

And Bella and 1, we went down to look 

For smooth little stones by the side of the brook. 



FAKEIVELL 399 

"Then I corned home, and I eated my tea, 
And then I chmbed up on Grandpapa's knee, 
And I jes' as tired as tired can be." 

Lower and lower the little head prest. 
Until it drooped upon Grandpapa's breast ; 
Dear little Golden Hair I sweet be thy rest. 

We are but children ; the things that we do 
Are as sports of the baby to the infinite view 
That marks all our weakness, and pities it, too. 

God grant that when night overshadows our way, 
And we shall be called to account for our day. 
It shall find us as guiltless as Golden Hair's lay. 

And, oh, when a-weary, may we be so blest 
As to sink, like the innocent child, to our rest. 
And feel ourselves clasped to the infinite breast I 

F. BURGE SMITi 



A FAREWELL 

My fairest child, I have no song to give you ; 

No lark could pipe to skies so dull and gray ; 
Yet, ere we part, one lesson I can leave you 
For every day : 

Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever ; 
Do noble things, not dream them, all day long ; 
And so make life, death, and that vast Forever 
One grand, sweet song. 

Charles Kingsley. 



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